Assessment of the quality (comfort) of the living environment in urban conditions

Abstract

A universal methodological approach to the geo-ecological assessment of the comfort of the living environment for population was developed, which can be applied in practice, including by non-specialists. The selection of factors and criteria is based on a review of the literature on assessing the quality (comfort) of the living environment. The main factors and criteria that have the greatest impact on the quality of the living environment for the population are ecological, urban planning, landscape, and social ones. Each group of factors is calculated quantitatively (based on a set of criteria and indicators), taking into account the obtained class coefficients based on the results of an expert survey. The territory of the municipality of Balakovo city in the Saratov region is studied. There are 5 levels of comfort of living of the population. The best quality of the urban environment for living was observed in old-developed areas, the worst - in new neighborhoods located on the periphery and adjacent to industrial zones.