Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E001
Published online: 22 April 2026
The specificity of urban development in Siberian cities
Patrycja Adamczyk*1 and Patrycja Mac2
1 Doctoral School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management/Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, 2D Kraśnicka Ave., 20-031 Lublin, Poland
2 Doctoral School of Social Sciences, Department of Political Science and Journalism, Institute of International Relations, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, 45 Głęboka St., 20-612 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: patrycja.adamczyk@mail.umcs.pl
Cities in Siberia represent a unique area of study in urbanisation under extreme conditions. Their development is strongly influenced by environmental factors, including the harsh continental climate, long and severe winters, and the presence of permafrost, which significantly affects infrastructure and spatial organisation. Historical factors, such as Russian colonisation, industrialisation during the Soviet era, and the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, have left a lasting imprint on the structure and functions of these cities. Today, Siberia encompasses both large administrative and scientific centres, such as Novosibirsk, and single-industry industrial towns, including Norilsk, which are highly dependent on the extraction of natural resources. The region also includes river port towns and historical cultural centres, creating a diverse urban typology. Urban space is often characterised by compact multi-storey housing, infrastructure solutions adapted to permafrost, and limited transport networks due to the geographical isolation of the region. Contemporary challenges include population decline, infrastructure degradation, strong dependence on resources, and increasing threats related to climate change. The analysis of Siberian cities demonstrates that their functioning results from a close interrelation between environmental conditions and historical legacy, while also highlighting the need for urban and planning adaptation in response to current socio-economic and climatic changes. This review presents the main determinants, typology, and contemporary challenges of Siberian cities, emphasising their specific character in the context of extreme living and operational conditions.
Keywords: environmental factors; historical factors; Russia; Siberian cities; urban development
How to cite
Adamczyk P., Mac P., 2026. The specificity of urban development in Siberian cities. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E001