The ecology of modern megacities is one of the most relevant and acute topics of our time. Rapid growth of cities, increase in the urban population and development of industry have led to significant changes in the environment. This article examines the main environmental problems of modern megacities, factors affecting the ecology of urban areas. An analysis of the influence of solar radiation on the formation of the microclimate and ecology of the air basin of cities is carried out. The conditions for the occurrence of air flows of thermal origin, which contribute to the improvement of the aeration regime of urban areas, are studied.

Keywords: ecology, urban area, air exchange, convective flows, insolation, aeration regime, dense development, solar radiation, air basin, microclimate, heat island