Prospects and limitations of urban protected areas as a resource base for the regional recreational and tourism industry

Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, naste2@yandex.ru, Chita, Russia

^* Corresponding author: naste2@yandex.ru

Abstract

The paper presents work on assessing external and internal factors influencing the sustainable development of a recently created protected natural area (PNA) of regional significance – the Educational and Scientific Station (ESS) “Titovskaya Sopka” in the city of Chita. This territory is a unique location with numerous archaeological heritage monuments, has high environmental significance and is very popular among residents as a vacation spot. The demand for this territory as a tourist and recreational site was confirmed by a survey of the local population. The area of the protected area is 736.5 hectares, of which 124.97 hectares are occupied by archaeological monuments. The strengths and opportunities for the development of the scientific station, including the expansion of tourism and recreation, are analyzed. A wide range of possibilities has been identified, which is due to the wide variety of display objects, high historical significance, landscape attractiveness and good transport accessibility of the territory. Among the negative and limiting factors are anthropogenic disturbance of natural complexes, uncomfortable winter conditions, low level of improvement and development of tourism infrastructure, etc. The priority of preserving ecosystems of protected areas and their environment-forming functions over economic development is emphasized, since urban protected areas are important as a source of ecosystem services for city residents.