Urban leaders Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kazan topped a global ranking of more than a million cities for 2022 in terms of environmental quality, according to officials. The deputy head of the Ministry of Construction, Alexei Yeresko, briefed reporters on the results, as reported by DEA News. The ministry computes the urban environment quality index every year using 36 indicators spanning city life, from the availability of amenities and the condition of public transport to road safety, the quality of public spaces, and other essential factors shaping daily living.
In the final tallies of 2022, Moscow registered 299 points, while St. Petersburg stood at 264, Kazan at 216, Nizhny Novgorod at 214, and Rostov-on-Don at 212. These scores reveal how residents perceive their surroundings across a broad set of measurable criteria and inform city planners about where to focus improvements that will matter most in daily life.
Yeresko noted notable gains since 2021, with green spaces expanding by 18 percent and the creation of attraction centers rising by 16 percent. These figures signal a stronger emphasis on leisure, recreation, and the overall appeal of city cores and neighborhoods, contributing to higher livability in the eyes of residents.
The deputy head also highlighted other cities showing rapid progress in the urban environment. Verkhneuralsk posted a remarkable 39-point increase, while Nartkala and Usinsk each advanced by 35 points, underscoring regional improvements in infrastructure and public services.
Among mid-sized cities with populations between 250 thousand and 1 million, Grozny, Tyumen, Sochi, Belgorod, and Kaliningrad emerged as leaders for a comfortable urban environment, reflecting targeted investments in transit, green spaces, and urban safety.
Earlier reports described ongoing reconstruction efforts in Moscow, including the modernization of bus stops and related urban infrastructure projects, highlighting a broader push to enhance mobility and street-level experience across the capital. The annual index aims to provide a comprehensive view of how city environments affect residents and visitors, guiding policymakers and stakeholders toward practical improvements that improve everyday life in large, medium, and smaller urban centers alike.