Terrenkur renovation and resort city sustainability: the experience of Nalchik

B.T. Yuanov

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Abstract. This paper examines the renovation experience of the “Thousand Steps” health trail in Nalchik as an instrument for sustainable resort city development.
Aim. The study aims to conduct a comprehensive, interdisciplinary analysis of the urban terrenkur renovation process implemented in 2026, using the case of Mt. Kizilovka (Nalchik); it combines sociological-anthropological data with GIS mapping of anthropogenic load, alongside evaluating project design solutions through sustainability frameworks.
Materials and methods. The research materials comprise sociological survey data, results from indepth interviews and focus groups, field observation and photo-documentation records, as well as open spatial data from OpenStreetMap and the SRTM digital elevation model. An interdisciplinary methodology is applied, integrating GIS analysis, anthropogenic load mapping, quantitative trail visitor assessment, and sociological and participatory research methods. The assessment of design decisions was anchored in sustainability principles and benchmarked against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Results. Leveraging GIS analysis, KPI frameworks, and project alignment with the UN SDGs, the study establishes seven methodological principles for health trail design and management: participatory planning, resilience, urban strategy integration, anthropogenic pressure management, investment program synchronization, data-driven decision-making, and supporting initiatives.
Conclusion. The results can be applicable to municipalities and regions of the Russian Federation.

Keywords: terrenkur, renovation, Nalchik, sustainable development, sustainable development goals, resort city, GIS analysis

For citation. Yuanov B.T. Terrenkurrenovation and resort city sustainability: the experience of Nalchik. News of theKabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of RAS. 2026. Vol. 28. No. 4. Pp. 156–175. DOI: 10.35330/1991-6639-2026-28-4-156-175

©  Yuanov B.T., 2026

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Information about the author

Beslan T. Yuanov, Postgraduate Student, Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, KabardinoBalkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov;
173, Chernyshevsky street, Nalchik, 360004, Russia;
beslan.yuanov@yandex.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6736-8128

Funding

The study was performed without external funding.