Eco-anthropocentric approach in urban planning: European and Russian experience

Abstract

The article presents an idea that social consciousness should be changed in order to create humanized ecological city environment. This consciousness may be formed being influenced by external conditions: educational activities on creating such environment. The author analyses eco-anthropocentric approach to city territories development in Russia and European countries. Now that ecological problems are becoming more acute and the climate is changing, this approach is the only possible for creation of comfortable and safe environment. This is the way to preserve biosphere for the next generations too. The article observes the legislation in Russia, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands in terms of obligatory measures to preserve the environment and people’s participation in decision-making. The author has conducted sociological studies using questionnaire, focus-groups and interview to find out the respondents’ attitude to actions of city government on developing the territories as well as the respondents’ recommendations on organizing public hearings concerning city problems. City planners – scientists from research institutes and Master students from Moscow State University of Civil Engineering were the respondents. The author’s conclusion is: the legislations of the observed European countries are more developed in terms of environmental protection and concern for people’s well-being as compared to Russia. Russia doesn’t have separate law on climatic changes. The sociological studies show critical attitude of Russian people to laws and governmental actions, though they haven’t showed high activity and determination to act, which means the social consciousness hasn’t yet become the base for transformations.