Аactualization of the Methodological Basis of Developing General Plans in the Context of Modern Threats and Challenges to Urban Development

Abstract

The article notes that modern methodology development of the general plans for large cities do not contribute to the efficiency of the projects; do not satisfy modern challenges and threats in urban development. One of the most important challenges is the process of globalization, when a special role is assigned to the large cities. Cities compete for the attracting investments, modern industrial facilities, and skill creative specialists. The concept of a competitive city is the motto under which the general plans of major foreign cities are developed. The main differences between the domestic and foreign practices of designing cities are given. First of all, they relate to the links between socio-economic and urban planning policies. In the foreign practice, the modern general plans are developed while taking into account the mission of the city and the strategic goals of the city development; as defined in the general Plans or the Strategies of Social and Economic Development. As a part of the modern strategies of social and economic development (2030-2035) of large Russian cities (St. Petersburg, Kazan) the mission of the city, strategic goals and even the conceptual basis of urban policy defines. It creates prerequisites for more effective communication of socio-economic and territorial planning in comparison with the established urban code, which provides for the mapping of the planned objects. The low social validity of general plans is noted. Possible directions for the improving methodological basis of developing general plans based on the attitude to the general plan as an instrument for creating the town-planning prerequisites for the realization of the city's mission and strategic goals are given.