GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE CONDITION OF URBAN RIVER RIPARIAN BUFFER ZONES

Riparian buffer zones along urban rivers play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological stability of city environments. They serve as multifunctional landscape elements that mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic pressure, contribute to water purification, preserve biodiversity, and regulate hydrological processes. However, in rapidly urbanising settings, the functional integrity of these zones is frequently compromised. This study presents geospatial analysis of land-use transformations within the riparian buffer zones of the Lopan River in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with the objective of evaluating their current ecological state and buffering capacity under increasing urban pressure. A combined methodological approach was employed, integrating field surveys with geospatial analysis in a GIS environment. This allowed for both the empirical documentation of protection regime violations and a spatially explicit assessment of land use within riparian areas. The analysis revealed a significant fragmentation of riparian landscapes and widespread encroachment by incompatible land uses. Green zones, while still covering approximately 65% of the studied riparian area, often suffer from degraded vegetation, waste accumulation, and heavy recreational use. Notably, 13% of the riparian zones are occupied by industrial development, potentially serving as sources of pollution and disrupting ecosystem functions. Residential and commercial/administrative buildings account for 19% of the buffer zone area, underscoring the systematic violation of environmental regulations prohibiting capital construction within protected riparian areas. Transportation infrastructure, though occupying a smaller share (4%), poses a considerable threat by interrupting natural hydrological connectivity and amplifying habitat fragmentation. Accessibility assessments showed that only half of the riverbanks remain fully open to the public, while 39% are partially restricted and 11% are entirely closed off due to fencing or physical obstructions. These findings highlight a broader issue of limited public access to urban water bodies and the declining ecological and social functionality of riparian zones. Overall, the study identifies a critical ecological imbalance within the urban river system of Kharkiv. It stresses the urgent need for integrated spatial planning reforms, stricter land-use control, and the implementation of nature-based solutions for the revitalisation of degraded riparian landscapes.