printUrban Activism:
Management Practices of Authorities as Resources and Barriers for Urban Development Projects
Koroleva M.N.
Cand. Sci. (Soc.), Senior Researcher, The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), Moscow, Russia m.koroleva.che@gmail.com
Chernova M.A.
Sociological studies coordinator, Moscow centre of applied urbanism, Moscow, Russia maria.a.chern@gmail.com
Koroleva M.N., Chernova M.A. Urban Activism: Management Practices of Authorities as Resources and Barriers for Urban Development Projects . Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2018. No 9. P. 93-101
The article reflects the results of research by Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration “Urban projects’ adaptive strategies to changes in legislation and management practices”.The article is devoted to activism focused on urban realm improvement and its specifics in modern Russia. New terminology is proposed for description of bottom-up constructive activism, its major features are summarized, typology is proposed for activities related to urban realm improvement. The article presents results of the research conducted in two cities: Moscow (capital of Russia) and Tomsk (one of major cities in Siberia). The research is focused on management practices of city authorities affecting activists within their projects. Such practices may become resources as well as barriers for citizens on the way to urban space improvement. The research is conducted though in-depth semi-structured interviews with leaders and initiators of urban projects. Theoretic basis for the research are links to major paradigms of sociology of civil society movements. Such terms as internal and external resources and characteristics of political opportunities are used. Examples of “resourcetype” and “barrier-type” management practices are described (according to activists). Specifics of Moscow and Tomsk are highlighted. Major types of contexts for cooperation between bottom-up urban activists and city authorities are suggested: openness, neutrality, dysfunction, closeness (antagonism). Research results can be used for further scientific studies, as well as be practically helpful for urban activists.
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