Youth Meeting Places in the City: A Comparative Study of Yekaterinburg, Gyumri, and Timisoara

Abstract

This article analyzes young people's perceptions of urban spaces. Drawing on the theory of environmental determinism, the authors attempt to explain why some spaces in vastly different cities around the world are more attractive to young people than others. Based on the results of a sociological survey and focus groups with young people in Yekaterinburg (Russia), Timisoara (Romania), and Gyumri (Armenia), the authors identified meeting places for young people. Participant observation and document analysis allowed for a detailed examination of the architecture and development history of the three most popular urban public spaces among young people, highlighting their distinctive characteristics that determine youth activity. It was established that the urban areas most attractive for social interaction among young people have similar spatial and environmental features. These open urban spaces are located in the central and historical parts of cities. They are distinguished by their multifunctional content, along with their fluidity of spatial content and the diverse surrounding development that has emerged as the city developed. These locations are part of the daily routes of many city residents and are used as venues for various city-wide events.