ИСТИНА

We examine ideological and institutional effects of the Soviet “greening” policy on the post-Soviet urban planning practice, relying on the example of several Russian cities. Our main goal is to understand how the idea of the “green city” influenced the development of the urban settlements in terms of their functional mechanism and symbolic transformation. Thus, we are aimed to investigate how and to what extent the Soviet “green” heritage was adopted to the current urban conditions of the Russian cities while facing new economic, cultural and ecological challenges. For that reason we analyze the role of the “green” in the three main dimensions. Firstly, as a part of the city’s image and citizens’ identity, a sort of a nice “post-card” within the concept of garden-city. Secondly, as a recreational and sanitation resource which possesses a certain functional and symbolic meaning (parks for sport activities – arenas, protective planting along highways and roads etc.). Thirdly, as an essential part of the urban nature which provides an important ideological tool and mechanism for social communication and cooperation. We also highlight the modification of the current greening strategies in terms of those challenges and conflicts which Russian urban settlements tend to get over today in order to become a resilient city.