FORMATION OF A COMFORTABLE URBAN ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION: FEATURES OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT TOOLS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to substantiate and formulate proposals for the creation and improvement of organizational instruments for increasing direct civic participation of young people in the development of a comfortable urban environment at the regional level. The study was conducted using the Vologda Region as an example. The focus is on the sociological approach, and the formation of the urban environment is considered from the point of view of the concept of civic participation. Information base: public opinion monitoring data. The sample size for Vologda, as well as for Cherepovets, is 400 people (total sample = 800 people). For small towns — Nikolsk, Sokol, Veliky Ustyug, Gryazovets — 600 respondents. The index of urban quality among and passports of the national and federal project. The institutional environment of citizen participation in the formation of a comfortable urban environment is analyzed and the risks of implementing the Federal project “Formation of a comfortable urban environment” are considered. The passivity of citizens in choosing public areas for improvement was revealed both in Vologda and in Cherepovets: more than half of the residents do not participate in rating voting and are not involved in the assessment of the urban space. Awareness of the Federal project “Formation of a comfortable urban environment” in Vologda is higher among young people than among other age categories. Among the motives that prevent young people from showing their civic activity, the leading position is occupied by the habit of hoping for the finished one. Recommendations are proposed for the creation and improvement of organizational tools for increasing direct civic participation of young people in the development of a comfortable urban environment in the Vologda Region — the creation of the Regional Youth Association for the Development of the Urban Environment. An assessment of the effectiveness of the measures proposed in the study to involve young people in the development of a comfortable urban environment was carried out. The expected increase in the involvement of young people in this area of activity will allow achieving positive dynamics in the development of cities in the region and occupying high positions in the overall rating of cities with a favorable urban environment.