Natural landscape, historical and town‐planning factors of Khabarovsk development

Abstract

Aim. A comprehensive analysis of the development of the living environment of the city of Khabarovsk, Russia.Discussion. The article discusses the stages of the formation of the city of Khabarovsk under the conditions of the mutual influence of natural landscape, historical and town planning factors. The territory of Khabarovsk exists under the influence of a number of interacting factors, the combination of which determines the low quality of life of the population. These factors ensure the uniqueness of the territory, which often fulfill a compensatory role, but also determine the ecological vulnerability of the city and limit its development. In the category of natural landscape factors there are 4 principal impacts: Khabarovsk is associated with an intermountain depression, which contributes to atmospheric pollution stagnation and the domination of the Siberian anticyclone during the cold season, which creates unfavourable conditions for the dispersion of harmful impurities in the atmosphere; potential exposure to flooding; and potential fire hazard. The main historical factor in the development of Khabarovsk is the inclusion of the Far East in the space of Russia and the awareness of its geostrategic importance. However, the development of the region has always been accompanied by difficulties due to remoteness and vicinity to China. For all urban systems there are specific general urban development factors. Their influence is unevenly traced at different stages of the formation of Khabarovsk’s territory, at times fixing errors in the layout of the city, and at others reducing the comfort of the environment. Only at the present stage is a balance of factors taking shape that sets the prospects for the comprehensive improvement of the population’s living space.Conclusion. Sustainability of Khabarovsk development is possible under the condition of creating a viable model of advanced economic development of the Far East.