Green Architecture as a Means of Sustainable Urban Development: Russian and International Experience

Abstract

The author believes that environmental safety is one of the key requirements applicable to urban management. Environmental safety is a multi-faceted notion; therefore, it is associated not only with the process of specific activity, but also with its outcome, as any activity, including the one performed by the officers of municipal authorities and city hall managers, is assessed by its result. Indeed, the notion of “environmental safety” encompasses both acceptable negative impacts produced by natural and human-induced environmental hazards on the urban environment and residents, and a set of actions, aimed at the reduction of harmful consequences of any activities performed by urban residents. The author is confident that the use of renewable sources of energy and ecological construction materials will make this reduction feasible. The author believes that the objectives of environmental safety are of particular importance for regional and municipal management authorities, construction and architectural projects. According to the author’s findings generated in the course of analysis of several architectural projects, this government – level objective is particularly relevant today. The author also analyzes several “garden cities”, inspired by E. Howard’s original ideas.