THE ROLE OF HIGHWAYS IN CREATING A BIOSPHERE-COMPATIBLE URBAN SPACE: RUSSIAN METROPOLITAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

In this research project the author analyzes a most relevant problem, that is, biosphere compatibility of urban space planning in major megalopolises; this problem comprises the launch of a comfortable transport system, convenient transport routes free from any traffic jams in urban streets and highways. The author con-siders different methods for organization of convenient transport routes in Moscow. The author believes that a comfortable transport network is a main factor for sustainable development of the urban economy that may help the city to restore its main functions. The author has employed the retrospective analysis of the materials produced by the media, namely, news items published in Moscow and Moscow Metropolitan area in respect of the transport organization patterns. The author has also employed the method of historical comparisons, as well as the general scientific methods of deduction, induction, and deduction by analogy. The author collect-ed the source material by launching a questionnaire-based survey among the residents of the capital. The survey served to help the author to find out the main trends in the organization of the urban space and to identify the transport preferences of urban residents. Moscow transport development trends include broad-ened bus lanes, rent-a-bicycle stations, construction of hubs both on the outskirts of Moscow and in its cen-tre, and liquidation of traffic “bottlenecks”. Innovations include replacement of trolley bus and bus routes by electric bus routes. The retrospective analysis of e-transport networks in Europe and North America is of-fered to identify the current needs of European megalopolises. The survey findings can be invested into the organization of the Moscow transport network.