Setting-up of ecological settlements to promote sustainable development of urban areas

Urbanization has a dual effect on the opportunities of sustainable development. On the one part, urbanization gives rise to favourable living conditions for the population, on the other part, man-induced impact on the environment and humans themselves grows because of the increased urban infrastructure and population density. Taking into account the diversity of land resources and regions in a country, it is necessary to work for the highest possible population distribution throughout the country. The adverse urbanization effect might be reduced and, consequently, sustainable development will be supported. Besides, land resources might be developed more effectively, the fact having a positive effect on the sustainability as well. The highest potential is seen in developing ecological settlement types based on rural settlements. The article demonstrates the statistical analysis of ecological settlements designed as a sustainable territorial unit. Such type of settlement contributes to the region's economic base development while the environment factors are taken into account. Thus, in general, it facilitates the sustainable development of urban areas by means of making the population less concentrated and the man-induced impact reduced.