City-forming environmental agglomeration of Magnitogorsk

Abstract

Introduction. This paper presents a study of historically formed architecture of popular housing; a further subject is the specifics of the climate of Magnitogorsk City significantly contributing to the pollution of the atmosphere with emissions of Magnitogorsk Iron (MMK) integrated iron and steel works. Materials and methods. Data of long-term satellite remote sensing and regulatory documents were used. Data of scientific research works and publications in periodicals on the topic were analyzed. Results. A distribution of wind directions in Magnitogorsk was determined, as well as the atmospheric pollution index. Area pollution polygons were plotted around Magnitogorsk, in terms of dust and gas emissions of MMK in summer and in winter period of the year. A map of the Environmental Agglomeration of Magnitogorsk was plotted. Conclusions. It was determined that in the polluted area around Magnitogorsk, the dust and gas emissions to the atmosphere have exterminated the natural environment contributed by the wind speed and direction, as well as by the air flow temperature. The wind transports the gas and dust emissions from MMK territory far beyond Magnitogorsk borders. Even if by 2024 the emission of pollutants from the hot workshops is reduced by 20 %, at least 20–30 years will be required for the perishing nature to resurrect. Thus, it is now absolutely high time, after a century of pollution with MMK emissions, to launch a number of landscape revitalization projects and to create environmentally aware architectural situation in the adjoining areas of the Environmental Agglomeration of Magnitogorsk. This goal is feasible for students of the Architectural School of Magnitogorsk of the Institute of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Arts. A list of students’ term and graduation papers of the architectural faculty has been revised, which are dedicated to the recovery of the architecture of the natural landscape and to the development of the architectural environment of the settlements of Verkhneuralskiy, Nagaybakskiy, Agapovskiy and Kizilskiy Districts.