Problems associated with coastal areas of the River Angara within the Irkutsk agglomeration: history of changes from late 17th to early 21st century

Abstract

The present paper examines the problems of coastal areas within the Irkutsk agglomeration and discusses the changes that occurred in the studied territories over time. The study is based on a comprehensive approach to the urban planning analysis of coastal areas under agglomeration. In particular, the analysis of urban planning documentation, legal basis and geoinformation databases was carried out. In the study, the following aspects are highlighted: determining the characteristics of the River  Angara  basin;  studying  the  changes  in  the  investigated  coastal  area  over  history  (prerevolutionary period (late 17th century - 1917), Soviet period (1917–1991), post-Soviet period (1991 - early 21st century)); characterising the current state of the studied coastal area within the Irkutsk agglomeration, in particular, transport network, functional zoning, natural resource potential (landscapes and vegetation), environmental risks (harmful effects of water and vegetation contamination) and socio-economic potential; identifying the problems of the investigated coastal areas based on the performed analysis (transport, planning, environmental and socio-economic aspects). It can be concluded that the absence of a general strategy for developing the region resulted in the identified issues associated with the coastal area.