The development of the reserve management and studies is considered in a historical retrospective from the 16th century to the present. The study of archival sources and studies of allied researchers (geographers, historians, biologists, ecologists, specialists in the field of conservation), it was reveals that the development of protected areas in Russia took place in five stages. At the first stage (XVI-XVII centuries), the formation of a general idea of the value of untouched natural complexes is considered, which is associated with the spiritual and religious conservation of territories. At the second stage (the end of the 19th -beginning of the 20th centuries), the organization and formation of the first nature reserves are being studied. At the third stage (the middle of the 20th century - the Great Patriotic War and the post-war period) is studied the functioning of the reserves, which took place under the conditions of their mass liquidation in the war and post-war period. The fourth stage (the end of the 20th century) can be characterized as the final formation of the reserve management and studies as a unique system of reserves in Russia, the features of this stage are being studied. At the fifth stage (the beginning of the 21st century to the present), the development of reserves is considered from the side of updating the conservation of natural complexes, as well as the promotion of ecological tourism through the formation of scientific and tourist-recreational clusters on the basis of protected areas and adjacent territories.

The paper considers one of the modern views on the formation of green areas of the city - the concept of "Green infrastructure". The article reveals the concept, main ideas, principles, tasks and advantages of green infrastructure. The purpose of the study is to assess the importance of developing a concept for the development of the green infrastructure of the city. The importance of the possibility of forming a strategy for the development of the green infrastructure of the city for the organization of a harmonious combination of urban and natural systems is considered. This will preserve the continuity of the green framework and ensure the accessibility of natural areas for the population. Recommendations are identified and proposed, the application of which will ensure the development and formation of urban green infrastructure, and will also contribute to the expedient use of land, ensuring the interconnectedness of green space systems that benefit people, nature and the economy. The plan for the formation of green infrastructure should be the first step in the planning process of urban development of settlements. It is concluded that the lack of a concept and strategy for the development of green infrastructure significantly reduces the efficiency of using the available material, technical and natural resources to create a favorable urban environment.