METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR STUDYING THE TERRITORIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF THE METROPOLIS ENVIRONMENT
The recent changes in the development of Russian metropolises lead to the growing disparities in the infrastructural, environmental, functional characteristics of urban areas and various kinds of spatial inequalities. The development of a methodology for studying the territorial differentiation of metropolises in the aspect of unequal conditions for the population's life becomes increasingly relevant. The theoretical research model proposed by the author is based on a sequential synthesis of three approaches - morphological, social-functional, and environmental. From the standpoint of the morphological approach, the choice of the initial structural units of analysis - residential territories is substantiated. Microdistricts as territories with functional and environmental homogeneity prove to be optimal for comparison of residential units. In accordance with the choice of the morphological unit, a different interpretation of the classical functional principle of urban zoning is proposed. The transition from the type of functionality to socio-functional saturation in the aspect of key processes of the population's life (habitation, work, leisure) allows building a hierarchy of urban microdistricts - from mono- to multifunctionality. In turn, the urban environment in the totality of its constituent elements (natural and artificially created, material and non-material) provides practical opportunities for the satisfaction of various population needs. Thus, a comprehensive positional assessment of microdistricts is determined by the socio-functional saturation and quality of environment for the implementation of needs and practices of citizens (vital, daily routine, communicative, cultural, educational, recreational and consumer).