Historical analysis of geomorphic control over urbanization in the central East European Plain

Abstract

The paper deals with geomorphic structure as an element of environment and a factor which exerts control over town’s location and development in the Moscow region. Eight geomorphologically controlled features of town location are discussed. Eastern asymmetry of the Moscow region urbanization is shown to result from geomorphic structure. The degree of urbanization calculated from the ratio between occupied and vacant areas suggests the eastern part of the region to be deficient in territorial resources for the urban infrastructure development.