ИСТИНА

The same approach to landscape functions assessment was applied in research of a small residential town Tarusa and city of Tyumen (Russia). The approach consisted in allocating, mapping and parametrization of homogeneous urban geographical systems which formed urban pattern of selected places. Geographical integrity and homogeneity of urban systems were recognized both by natural environment – relief, soil parent material and moisture, vegetation, and by human development - buildings type, density and function. We used field observations and sampling as well as remote sensing data for the research. To address the needs of urban management and planning we focused on assessment of certain regulating functions which were crucial for the place. In Tyumen we studied contribution of different urban geosystems in air quality and local climate regulation. Low-rise and poorly paved Tarusa more likely needs protection from natural destructive processes – erosion, water logging, flooding, etc. Therefore, in Tarusa we studied erosion and flood control functions. Indicators of cultural functions of urban geosystems in both cases were aesthetic attractiveness and recreation value. The study showed that allocated urban geosystems perfectly served as spatial units for urban landscape assessment and planning regardless of the size of the research object.