Abstract: In a modern city, the role of interaction between local governments and the population is increasing. The author considers in detail territorial public self-government (CBT) as an important form of public participation in solving issues of local importance, in particular, landscaping. With the right organization, this institute has a huge potential for involving residents in solving issues of local importance, in particular in the field of urban improvement. The prospects for the development of this institution largely depend on the awareness and involvement of the population in this form of self-government. The low level of public awareness is considered as a factor constraining the development of territorial public self-government. The article presents the results of a survey of residents of the city of Tyumen, which demonstrate a low level of awareness of the population about the activities of CBT. These studies confirmed the need to increase the level of knowledge about the role and tools of CBT among citizens. As a solution to the problem of the existing imbalance between the high potential of CBT and the low level of awareness of the population about its work, the author suggests a number of measures, such as the creation of specialized Internet portals, communities in social networks; the use of social advertising in the media and city events to popularize the activities of CBT. The information base will create an infrastructure for realizing the potential of CBT, will make it possible to identify and implement socially significant initiatives of citizens.

Keywords: urban space development, awareness of citizens, TPSG, citizen engagement, landscaping, participation, urban environment, territorial public self-government, potential of residents, local authorities

Abstract: In the context of this publication, main attention is given to examination the key factors of the figurative frame of a city. Figurative frame of the territory implies the system of most powerful, vivid and stable images associated with a certain territory and expressed through pivotal metaphors. Therefore, the object of this research is the poetic texts dedicated to a city; while the subjects of the determination of the typical, conceptual features that characterize the urban space as such, as well as peculiar attributes of the urban space of Omsk. The topic under consideration is elucidated with the priority of interdisciplinary paradigm and culturological model of research. Image of a city is viewed as a result of interaction of the architectural-landscape environment with the individual and collective consciousness of the city dwellers. The ideal component of “image of the place” is formed as a reflection of individuals and communities that populate this space. In this sense, the combination of images-symbols and myths sets the visual perception of a city for its residents. Each city dweller, entering into a dialogue with the city, contributes to the creation of its ideal – mythical space. The author believes that the images of the painters and literary artists most precisely and vividly recapture the subtle aura, individuality and distinctness of a particular place, which is why these materials should be referred to during a comprehensive research of the figurative space of a city.  

Keywords: urban environment, perception, reflection of reality, poetic text, metaphor, figurative frame, city, Image, urbanism, shaped clichés

Abstract: The object of this research is the adult patients of healthcare facilities of the districts of Sverdlovsk Region. Among the respondents are 34 males and 60 females consisted of the following age groups: 18-39 (30 people), 40-59 (38 people), above 60 (26 people). The subject of this research is the quality of health services in medical centers of the towns of Artemovsky, Asbest, Berezovsky, Nizhnyaya Tura, Pervouralks, Rezh, and town settlement of Shalya. The quality evaluation is realized in accordance with a number of criteria: comfort conditions and waiting time of rendering health services; level of satisfaction with the provided services, etc. Methodological base implies the sociology of city, healthcare, and medicine, as well as application of the structured interview involving 94 patients. The scientific novelty consists in the empirical results. It is established that sanitary and hygienic norms vary among the medical centers of the considered towns. The author determine both, the apparent violations of the existing regulations, as well as patients’ positive evaluations of the available conditions. In all assessed city clinics similar problems in the work of the physicians are detected: doubts of the respondents regarding the competency of particular specialists; insufficient amount of time allocated for patient visit; instances of unfriendly treatment of patients; prescriptions written for expensive brands of medications while there are other low-cost alternatives. Based on the acquired data, the respondents have given a relatively high feedback on the work of medical personnel, although the overall quality of health services was assessed as moderate.

Keywords: clinic, formalized interview, sociology of medicine, sociology of healthcare, Middle Ural, urban sociology, small town, sanitary conditions, health care, quality of health services

Abstract: The subject of this study is the peculiarities of formation of economic claims of the residents of Irkutsk region. Economic claims are not the indicator of the quality of life and social wellness of the residents of one or another region, but rather form depending on the external circumstances of city development, as well as internal conditions of adjustment to the changing living standards of the dwellers themselves. Small and large cities have their own specificities and culture, substantiated by the history and culture of the territory, establishing the framework for emergence of the economic claims among the residents. First, the authors arranged cities: large, medium, and small (according to GM Lappo); then applied a method survey involving 2,200 residents alongside the 22 expert interviews in the same cities. The main conclusion of the research consists in the thesis that large cities form the inflated economic claims of their dwellers; residents of small cities are willing to exaggerate their living standards towards the average. Residents of the large cities establish their economic claims based on the salaries and alternative ways to improve the financial status, while for the inhabitants of small towns, the category of economic claims includes social service and providing benefits for society.

Keywords: Social stratification, Quality of life, Social wellness, Large cities, Small cities, Economic claims, representation, Self-perception, identity, economic prospects

Abstract: This article examines the questions associated with the instruments of taking into account the position of population in establishment of the municipal policy in the area of development of public spaces. Particularly, the authors underline that various forms of participation of population in implementation of the local self-government allow to the institutions of public administration forming a certain opinion about the need to reform the important urban areas. In addition to that, the authors give attention to the problem of non-involvement of the general public into the process of formation of the urban development landmarks, even despite the fact that the city resident acts as a main consumer of the results of the work of government authorities and administration. The authors suggest conducting full-scale surveys among population related to discussion of the general directions in development of separate urban spaces. The proposed model has been for the first time tested in Tomsk (in 2015) within the frameworks of the Mayor Council on development of the public spaces, in preparation to which was conducted a sociological survey aimed at accumulation of positions of the citizens with regards to development of one of the remarkable places of the city – Novosobornaya Square. The research revealed the problems that are characteristic to this place from the residents’ point of view, as well as what is desired to be accomplished. The results of the survey also demonstrate that in general, the population is satisfied with the work of the local self-government in this regard. The format of the Mayor Council on development of the public spaces became traditional, which testifies to the effectiveness of such form of interaction between the government authorities and the population.

Keywords: decision-making, municipal policy, public opinion, development of the territory, urban environment, sociological researches, public spaces, information and analytical support, local government, population

Abstract: This study is focused on the cultural needs of the residents of Krasnoyarsk, the capital of the Krasnoyarsk region. The current population of Krasnoyarsk exceeds one million people. Residents ranging from 16 to 60 years of age were selected as the representative group for this study. This article is a part of another, larger project, which divides residents by age and residence areas. The sociological study was conducted on the basis of questionnaires, the analysis of their content and interpretation of the results. In order to study the defining traits of the modern Krasnoyarsk leisure culture and to predict its course of development over the next decades the authors researched various ways of receiving information. The questionnaire method turned out to be the most effective, as it employs a series of specifically-worded questions to get information from the representatives. Due to the fact that this study pursued several goals, the questionnaire was aimed at receiving response on several topics - from the image of a modern Krasnoyarsk citizen to the image of the city itself in the eyes of residents, as well as its potential for leisure and recreation. The scientific novelty of this research is based on the new questionnaire and its processing. This study doesn't only state quantitative results - it offers sketches of several projects that have the potential to significantly enhance the social and cultural environment of Krasnoyarsk, to make the leisure time of its citizens much more varied and interesting.

Keywords: culture, questionnaires, Krasnoyarsk, city, sociological study, the urbanistic anthropology, social studies, leisure, projects, recommendations