APPROACHES TO GEOECOLOGICAL MAPPING OF URBAN AREAS
Definition of an urban area is given. Theoretical and methodical specifics of geoecological mapping of urban areas are considered. Functional and planning formations are accepted as an object of geoecological mapping in a natural landscape, i.e., natural-technogenic systems (NTS) or their parts - urban-landscape units ((ULU); with the consequences of interaction between engineering objects and natural components measured in the size of a potential economic damage being the criterion for distinguishing the latter. The map of geoecological hazard assessment for NТS and ULU may be used for decreasing hazard and taking administrative measures on rational nature management in the urban area. Geoecological mapping and assessment are carried out with use of GIS-technologies.