Irina Grishechkina, an architect from the Institute of Advanced Urban Planning in St. Petersburg, noted that the level of air pollution in the capital exceeds permissible norms by 3 to 5 times. This is related to the decline of green plantings and uncontrolled construction.
Experts add that the deterioration of urban ecosystems is also caused by a critical situation with the irrigation network:
- about 25% of irrigation systems have no owners;
- water losses during transportation amount to 20–30%;
- the level of groundwater is declining by 0.5–1.2 meters annually.
The situation is further exacerbated by violations of sanitary norms: studies have shown that 95% of sanitary protection zones are occupied by residential buildings, which contradicts urban planning requirements.
The authors of the general plan emphasize the need to restore green areas, modernize irrigation systems, and improve the condition of protective zones as key steps to enhance the ecological situation and reduce air pollution in the city.
