Policentricity as a way to sustainable development of the city (The case-study of the city of kazan)

Abstract

© SGEM 2017. The article is devoted to the study of the polycentric city structure. The large area of the city combined with territorial-functional differentiation, growing interest of the population in recreation, leisure time, family rest, and the desire to attract tourists are all components of the emerging polycentricity of city life. Polycentricity of city structure assumes the formation of not one but several local centers on the basis of socio-ecological functions in combination with economic activities of a post-industrial nature (trade, entertainment, creative industries, education). Polycentricity allows creating a general brand of the city consisted of local brands, thereby increasing the attractiveness of the urban environment due to its diversity in different areas. The City of of Kazan has an area of more than 600 sq.km and a population of more than 1.2 million people. In administrative terms, the city is divided into seven districts. The historical center of the The City of Kazan has historical and cultural significance - the Kazan Kremlin (UNESCO site) - and natural sites - the Kaban lakes, the embankments of the Kazanka and Volga rivers. The analysis of the territorial differentiation of the city and the functional-territorial characteristics of the administrative districts of Kazan with the use of cartographic and statistical methods is carried out. It is shown that for each district there is a potential for the formation of a center on the base of existing social and environmental factors, and for the city as a whole - a polycentric territorial structure. The importance of creating pedestrian accessibility of these centers and the formation of walking and pedestrian networks of the districts is determined, taking into account the preservation of the region's uniqueness, expressed through existing environmental objects, natural objects, social functions, which is generally the basis of the sustainable development of the city.