Research objective
The purpose of this study is to identify residential areas with limited access to parks and green spaces in Arkhangelsk, Severodvinsk, and Novodvinsk using geoinformation analysis.
Tools and technologies
- QGIS
- QuickOSM
- QuickMapServices
- Leaflet.js
- GeoJSON
- OpenStreetMap
Methodology
Data source. OpenStreetMap (OSM) provided polygons for parks, municipal boundaries, and residential buildings.
- 500-metre buffer zones were created around existing park areas (the walking distance recommended by WHO).
- All layers were unified to the EPSG:32637 (UTM zone 37N) coordinate system.
- Areas outside the buffer zones were identified as problematic.
- The results were converted to GeoJSON for web visualization with Leaflet.js.
Territories not covered by any 500 m buffer zone are considered areas with limited park accessibility.
Key findings
3Cities analyzed
12Districts evaluated
4 of 12Highly problematic
Four of the twelve territories are highly problematic in terms of park accessibility, and all of them are in Arkhangelsk. Severodvinsk and Novodvinsk show better park accessibility across their territories.
Problem level by territory
| Territory | Problem level |
|---|
| Lomonosovsky (Arkhangelsk) | Least problematic |
| Oktyabrsky (Arkhangelsk) | Least problematic |
| Mayskaya Gorka (Arkhangelsk) | Problematic |
| Varavino-Faktoria (Arkhangelsk) | Highly problematic |
| Solombalsky (Arkhangelsk) | Problematic |
| Severny (Arkhangelsk) | Least problematic |
| Tsiglomensky (Arkhangelsk) | Highly problematic |
| Maimaksansky (Arkhangelsk) | Highly problematic |
| Isakogorsky (Arkhangelsk) | Highly problematic |
| Central part of Severodvinsk | Least problematic |
| Yagry Island (Severodvinsk) | Least problematic |
| Novodvinsk | Least problematic |
Park area by city
The two charts below are Figures 5 and 6 of the original study: park area per resident and total park area in each city.
Park area per resident, m²
Total park area, m²
| City | Total park area, m² | Population | m² per resident |
|---|
| Arkhangelsk | 424,811 | 299,620 | 1.418 |
| Severodvinsk | 772,651 | 156,001 | 4.953 |
| Novodvinsk | 37,587 | 32,366 | 1.161 |
Key insight. Severodvinsk has the highest park accessibility with 4.953 m² per resident, well above Arkhangelsk (1.418 m²) and Novodvinsk (1.161 m²).
Mark Kostarev, 2024–2025 academic year.