QUALITY OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT: ISSUES OF ORGANIZATION AND SOCIALIZATION OF PUBLIC SPACE

The paper considers the approaches to definition of the concept of «Public space» of the city and introduces the classification of the types of public spaces, including according to new features introduced by the authors (human life cycle, natural and climatic conditions of the territory). The authors have revealed the city public space influence on local community socialization; it is shown that its contentfulness is associated with the involvement and activity of citizens. The problems in the organization of public space are identified, an algorithm of actions for the participation of citizens in the transformation of the public space of the city is proposed. An assessment of the quality of the urban environment of the Ural and Siberian cities is given. The purpose of the study is to identify the effect of the public urban space, its condition and characteristics on urban community socialization. Methods: spatial approach to the analysis of the urban environment, grouping and classification of types of public spaces, case analysis of the practices of organizing public spaces, expert assessments. Results. The place and role of the city's public spaces in the development of the urban environment were clarified, signs of socialization of public spaces were determined, a matrix was proposed as a tool for organizing public urban spaces for city residents.