GREEN ZONES OF UKRAINIAN CITIES: PROBLEMS, OPPORTUNITIES AND PRIORITIES OF DEVELOPMENT

Objective. The objective of the article is to identify problems, opportunities and priorities for the development of green areas of Ukrainian cities. Methods. The results of scientific research are obtained using a set of general and special research methods, namely: theoretical generalization (to study the essence of the definition of «green zone of the city»), factor analysis, systems analysis and synthesis (to determine the functions of green zones of cities and ways to measure economic value of green areas), statistical method (for processing and analysis of information on the structure of green areas of Ukraine, landscape-urbanization structure of green areas of cities and processing of statistical data on compliance with sanitary norms on green areas) abstract-logical method (in determining the main problems, opportunities and priorities for the development of urban green areas), abstract-theoretical method (for theoretical generalization and formation of conclusions). Results. The study finds that the green zone of the city should be considered as a set of various greenery, which are a functional component of the spatial organization of the city and suburban area, and determines that the main functions of urban green areas are economic, environmental and social, which are implemented in such areas: economic development, protection and rehabilitation of the urban environment, recreation and tourism, architectural planning, protection and preservation of landscapes. According to the results of processing and analysis of statistical data on the structure of green areas of Ukraine and landscape-urbanization structure of green areas of cities, it is established that in the structure of green areas of Ukrainian cities the area is 45 %, limited use and special purpose are 30 % and 25 % respectively, the ratio of green areas of public use shows that the area of parks of culture and recreation, urban parks and squares is almost 41 %, embankments and boulevards — 20 %, water parks, meadows, forest parks — 13 % and other facilities — 33 %. Based on the analysis, it is determined that only 16.7 % of cities adhere to sanitary norms on the area of green plantations in cities, and 25 % of cities have an indicator lower than the average in Ukraine. According to the results of the study, the absence of a national policy for the development of green areas of the city is established and ways to form effective green and recreational spaces of Ukrainian cities are proposed.