Urban identity in the value paradigm modern Russian society

Abstract

The article is devoted to urban identity as a socio-cultural, psychological and emotional construct determined by a number of factors. As a significant component of social identity, urban identity is determined by how strong an individual's social ties are, whether he is included in long-term stable social groups, which, in turn, forms an emotional assessment of such identity in relation to «his» and «strangers», as well as group values, social norms, stereotypes, behavioral patterns. The author of the article presents the characteristics of urban identity as a result of self-determination of personality, its socialization and adaptation in a particular urban space, in the process of assimilation and reproduction of cultural symbols, accepted norms, traditions, lifestyle of city residents. The relevance of the study of urban identity is determined by the peculiarities of the urban environment and urban lifestyle: the author of the article puts forward a tendency to increase the mobility of the population and a decrease in the role of physical space in the life of a modern person as factors that can create barriers to the formation of a conscious urban identity. The article proves that the self-consciousness and personal identity of city residents are largely determined by various aspects of the cultural space of the city. The impossibility of perceiving urban space in its integrity does not hinder personal identity and self-determination, and the possibility of implementing the social practices of its residents forms their emotional attachment to the city. The formation of urban identity is conditioned by stable, changeable and symbolic factors. The author of the article also identifies parameters that allow assessing the degree of urban identity, among which the uniqueness of the city, identity and positivity of its perception play a decisive role in modern Russian society, which, in turn, determines in many ways the practical potential of urban identity. The conclusion is made about the importance of urban identity among other values of Russians, because active emotional experience and active embodiment of the urban identity of individuals and social groups contributes to the comprehensive economic, social and political development of modern Russian society.