Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Today the need of the rest is playing more and more important role for human beings in the rapidly growing region such as St. Petersburg. The increasing interest in more sustainable development of the society with the respect to future generations appear among the inhabitants and city planners more frequently. Urban green spaces play an important role for the social, ecological and economic quality aspects of sustainability by enhancing feelings of psychological well-being and by improving the social and environmental conditions.

Modern classification of urban green space in St. Petersburg has roots in the Soviet Union system.
The utmost importance during the Soviet Times was given to creating urban green spaces according to the functional needs of residents, public health and high aesthetical qualities of place. Therefore introduction of “The Eight Characteristics”(result of Swedish green space research) into the St. Petersburg urban green space classification at least can provide different perspectives in the modern relationships between human beings and natural environment in the cities and by this can lead to changes in the development of St. Petersburg green structure.

The main purpose of this master project is to discover how it is possible to improve relevant qualities of well-being in St. Petersburg through analyzing urban green space with both Classification of St. Petersburg urban green space and “The Eight Characteristics” and to explore people’s preferences and needs perceived within the outdoor urban green spaces in the city.

To achieve these, the theoretical background is based on the literature study. The thesis discusses the influence of the urban green spaces on the sustainability of the cities in general, nature impact on public health with overview of different researches for the last decades. An investigation into the feelings and needs perceived within the outdoor urban green spaces in St. Petersburg shows that it is not only my own ideas defining an issue, but also other people’s thoughts of essential improvements in urban green spaces in the city. A case study of the target area gives an understanding of the existing situation with land use, availability of urban green spaces and qualities which they can provide for visitors. Analyses with both classifications show strengths and weaknesses of urban green space qualities for St. Petersburg area.

The situation with “The Eight Characteristics” in St. Petersburg has been discussed and some suggestions and proposals on enriching the St. Petersburg urban green space classification have been given to introduce more experience qualities of urban green spaces into the planning system of St. Petersburg.