S.A. Skatchkova 

Source:  Ispol’zovaniye and okhrana prirodnykh resursov v Rossiyi. 2003, No. 4-5

Environmental problems are most pronounced in places of people concentration, i.e. in various settlements and, particularly, in the areas of industrial-urban type of natural resources use. Urban areas, being the centers of both positive and negative sides, have always drawn attention of the scholars trying to offer efficient solutions for the improvement of living conditions. These issues are topical today, when urbanization has become a global phenomenon associated with population, poverty, environmental security, etc.