According to the authors in the context of urban ecology research the major task is to evaluate the components of the ecological system (e.g. climate, air, soil, hydrology and topography) of cities. To define the land use pattern of Szeged and the types of built-up areas authors used remote sensing technology. In the analysis two different methods were applied: calculation of vegetation index on the one hand, and analogue mapping with the application of EUROSTAT nomenclature. As part of the ecological investigations a risk analysis of urban soils was carried out, focusing on the contamination of urban soils and its influence on local residents.

Authors point out that one of the most important tasks of urban ecology is to reveal environmental conflicts and risks in cities, localise them and to provide scientific background for decision makers who deal with these problems. Concrete empirical research covered in the paper is focusing on the land use pattern and contamination of soils of green surfaces in Szeged. The heavy metal contamination (7 measured elements) of the soil shows a marked pattern. Whilst lead, zinc, chrome and nickel pollution is only in 2-3 cases higher than the “upper threshold” determined by regulations of agriculture and food hygienic, on the other hand the copper content of soil is always above the threshold.

University of Szeged, Department of Physical Geography
Hungary
Mr G. Mezősi (Head of Department)

01/01/1999

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Mr G. Mezősi, Mr L. Mucsi, Mrs A. M. Tóthné Farsang

research

Urban Policy

Urban environment