Transformations of Cultural Environments in Small Towns

Abstract

The research uses the methodological and heuristic power of the concept of sustainable development to analyze and evaluate proposed and implemented projects for transforming the cultural environment of Russian small towns. I aim to verify whether the gnoseological and ontological aspects of the small-town renovation project, which dominates at the governmental level, correspond to the goals and objectives of sustainable development. In this regard, I seek to find the optimal transformation model. The analysis of theoretical and empirical studies revealed that the prevailing project, both in theory and in practice, aimed at preventing small towns from further degradation, dilapidation, and disrepair by turning them into tourist destinations and changing their cultural environment is far from optimal and does not meet the goals of sustainable development. As a result, I came to the conclusion that the project of harmonizing the cultural environment of small towns in ecological, social, and humanitarian aspects can become an effective alternative to the project of their touristification and turn small towns into self-efficient, prestigious, and comfortable places.