Morphogenesis of residential development units of Krasnoyarsk: density, form, function

When growing, the urban layout of modern Siberian cities is undergoing morphological transformations and, thus, there are new morphotypes of residential development. In the same way, Krasnoyarsk can boast by its residential complexes of different settings and purposes. By analyzing the life of city-planning structure, one can identify several morphological periods for Krasnoyarsk's residential development: land exploration for a large-scale residential project; assimilation of new territories in the 20th century; current renovation and integrated re-development under the federal development programs. The article briefly describes the patterns of residential housing layouts in the city the spatial character of which has been basically influenced by the landscape, and streets and roads networks. Evaluation of the morphometric indicators of development density and settings in Krasnoyarsk yielded certain regularities in their structures. The analysis relies on two parameters: land size to development area ratio (under-buildings area to a residential development unit area), and development density, i.e. building floor surface to residential development area ratio. The research also examines the process of functional enriching the residential units by small and middle-size businesses ("functional flows"), and their spatial capacity for it. The study reveals that inherent urban units have specific functional, administrative, and social characteristics, reflected in the morphotopes layouts. General findings explain trends for brand-new alternatives in the residential development of Krasnoyarsk.