Large Russian Cities Research Articles

Effectiveness of the Federal ‘Clean Air’ Project to Improve Air Quality in the Most Polluted Russian Cities

An unavoidable adverse consequence of industrial development is the contamination of urban atmospheres. Deterioration of air quality leads to a decrease in the quality of life of the population, creates a lot of risks of serious diseases, and threatens to increase life expectancy. This phenomenon is particularly evident in many large Russian cities, where historically a powerful industry has developed. In recent decades, the Russian government has acknowledged environmental remediation as a pivotal priority for the National Development Goals. The dedicated funding from the National ‘Ecology’ Project in 2018–2024 allowed for large-scale public and private investments to address the problem of improving the air quality of urban areas in Russia. What is the effectiveness of this spending? In this article, we answer this question by analyzing the effectiveness of the Federal ‘Clean Air’ Project, part of the National ‘Ecology’ Project, which aimed to improve air quality in 12 of the most polluted Russian cities. We show that the project’s key performance indicators (KPIs) underwent significant changes over the 2018–2024 period. The emissions reduction target was lowered from 22% to 20%, the methodology for measuring pollution was revised, and new targets were set. One of the main reasons for this was the suboptimal quality of the data on which the initial plan was based. As a result, the revised emissions estimates produced by the project were found to exceed not only the target benchmarks but also the baseline. The planned targets are largely on track, and it is likely that the target of a 20% reduction in emissions from the 2017 baseline will be met. However, the link between the KPIs and the improvement in urban air quality is questionable. The initial phase of the ‘Clean Air’ Project was a valuable first step, particularly in establishing an air quality monitoring network and conducting detailed pollution assessments in 12 cities. However, to further improve project performance, it is essential to base project KPIs on estimates of air pollution-related health damage and economic losses.

Official pages of Russian city administrations on social networks: analysis of audience activity and engagement (2022-2023)

The development of digital technologies creates the basis for interaction between government authorities and citizens. The involvement of citizens in state and municipal management is considered as the most important state task. Communication methods and formats are expanding to ensure accessibility, efficiency and ease of interaction. Social networks are a popular tool for informing, advising and educating the population. Since December 1, 2022, public authorities are required to use social networks to interact with citizens, expanding opportunities for citizens to participate in the development of proposals, discussion and management decision-making. The article compares the activity on the official pages of the administrations of large Russian cities before and after the adoption of the law on the mandatory creation of official pages of public authorities in social networks (state-owned websites). The paper considered the official pages (state-owned publications) of the executive and administrative bodies of municipalities – administrations of 30 large cities that are the administrative centers of regions (subjects) of the Russian Federation. Data was collected on VKontakte pages, data collection and analysis was carried out manually and automatically using a specialized service for 2022-2023. The article compared and interpreted information about subscribers, publications on official pages, characterized the indicators of engagement and activity in the social network in absolute and relative terms. It was established that all the reviewed state-owned websites were created before 2022, but after the decision was made to create official pages, they became more active. The results show that the number of subscribers, publications, reactions (likes, comments, reposts) has increased, but overall engagement has decreased. The proposed study focuses on comparing the activity of official pages for 2022-2023, which distinguishes it from other studies that focus on monthly data analysis, the work is limited to the use of quantitative data. The conducted research contributes to the work on evaluating the effectiveness of state-owned websites, its results can be used by specialists responsible for maintaining social networks in public authorities to search for best practices in this area, improve feedback from authorities and society using social networks and assess the involvement of citizens in communication.

Оценка экологической справедливости зеленой инфраструктуры города Владикавказ

The article examines the environmental justice of urban green infrastructure, in particular the degree and structure of its representation, as well as accessibility for the population using the example of Vladikavkaz. The assessment method includes six justice parameters: 1) provision of the city and districts with green infrastructure; 2) walking distance to managed green elements; 3) residential areas greening; 4) per capita provision of residential areas with green infrastructure for daily recreation; 5) per capita provision of residential areas with green infrastructure for weekend recreation; 6) public openness of green infrastructure to the public. An important aspect of assessing the walking accessibility of green infrastructure is taking into account the city’s road and pedestrian network, which determines the real distance from residential areas to park areas, which allowed the study to draw conclusions about the real accessibility of green elements in the city. Vladikavkaz is a case study with a relatively small total area of green infrastructure, which, however, is assessed as sufficiently accessible to the population. The difference in the degree of greening of new and old areas differs slightly, i.e. the city is greened evenly. More than 80 % of residential multi-apartment buildings are located within 15-minute walking accessibility to parks. Public green areas account for about 70 % of the city’s total green area. Moreover, the most dangerous areas from the point of view of geological processes are landscaped to a large extent with large forests and thus have the maximum positive impact on residential areas also located in his most unfavorable zone. Thus, it has been determined that Vladikavkaz has a fair and accessible green infrastructure according to most indicators, and the overall spatial configuration of the city’s green infrastructure is close to “finely dispersed”, which is observed in a minority of large Russian cities.

Economic Development of the Major Cities in the Context of Demographic Challenges

In recent years, Russia has faced serious global challenges. Particular attention is required for demographic challenges, which are caused by natural population decline, ambiguous migration processes, and their exacerbation due to the spread of the coronavirus infection and subsequently the aggravation of the foreign policy situation. The largest Russian cities are centers of economic growth with significant potential for solving regional livelihood problems. An important indicator of the state and development of a city as a socio-economic system is the change in population size. The dynamics of demographic and other socio-economic indicators deserve detailed analysis and study. The results obtained must be considered when making strategic decisions and developing adaptation mechanisms. In the past five years, a natural population decline has prevailed in the studied largest municipalities, which is only partially offset by migration growth. In most cities with a population of over one million, there is a correlation between the dynamics of population growth (both natural and migration), the average wage level, and the quality of the urban environment. In cities with migration outflow, measures are needed to improve these parameters. Since all cities have developed industries, including due to natural and historical factors, systematic monitoring of the relevant indicators and a detailed analysis of the reasons for negative trends, including demographic ones, are important for ensuring balanced economic development. To ensure the balance of supply and demand in the labor market in terms of qualification and professional requirements and expectations, the implementation of regional programs and projects with the participation of government and business is proposed. In the context of the economic development of the largest cities and adaptation to global challenges, it is proposed that government authorities, local governments, the scientific community, and businesses identify new promising specializations for cities, including the need to enhance import substitution and implement high-tech, science-intensive industries.

Alternative education in Russian megacities: a chance for a different school

Introduction. The relevance of the study is determined by the search for innovative ways to develop school education. The study of the history and current state of alternative education in the largest Russian cities plays a significant role in this search. Systematisation of private educational projects will help families to better orientate themselves in alternative education and avoid its destructive models. Materials and Methods. An analysis of scientific literature was conducted, and information from the websites of 665 private educational projects was collected and analyzed, including 322 from Moscow, 183 from Saint Petersburg, 57 from Yekaterinburg, and 51 each from Novosibirsk and Kazan. In-depth interviews with their leaders were conducted, focus groups with experts were held, and an analysis of federal state statistics was made. Research Results. The coverage of children by humanistic alternative education practices in Russia is less than 1%. However, over 10 years, there has been a noticeable growth in the number of educational projects outside the system. An analysis of Project websites showed that only 8% of them consider themselves to be alternative education. 43% of Projects have a license for primary educational activities. Most often, projects implement primary general education programs. 23% of projects claim to implement proprietary programs. A small number of projects are based on specific didactic systems, approaches and practices. The typology of Alternative Education Projects is made taking into account the role of the child in the formation and implementation of educational requests. The study identified three spaces of alternative education: projects supporting family education, projects with established didactic systems (program schools), and A-schools. There are destructive practices in alternative education. Conclusion. Alternative education in the large cities of Russia is diverse and includes both humanistic and other pedagogical practices, as well as a degree of uncertainty. The pedagogical practices of alternative education are difficult to typologize. This living organism continuously transforms, sensitively responding to the external environment.

Subsurface urban heat island in the city of Ekaterinburg

Research subject. The subsurface thermal field in the city of Ekaterinburg (subsurface urban heat island). Aim. To determine criteria for the anomaly of mean annual subsurface temperatures in Ekaterinburg; to identify patterns of spatial distribution of underground temperatures; to quantify the main factors forming an urban heat island and changes in the heat content of rocks using mathematical modeling. Materials and methods. The main experimental data were obtained during the annual cycle of geothermal studies in observational boreholes of Ekaterinburg (22 boreholes) and surrounding areas (10 boreholes in Degtyarskiy, Verkh-Sysertskiy, Gagarskiy districts). Statistical analysis and mathematical modeling describing the impact of climate, local temperature anomalies of ground surface, and groundwater filtration to the underground thermal field were used when interpreting the obtained data. Results. At a depth of 20 m, the mean annual temperatures being less than 5°C and more than 6°C should be considered as anomalous. The maximum intensity of the urban heat island in Ekaterinburg is confined to densely built-up central areas of the city. The highest temperatures (>10°C) at a depth of 20 m are observed in boreholes located near buildings or directly therein. Here, a rapid decrease in temperature with depth is typical. Moderate anomalies from 6°C to 10°C are observed far from buildings. Remoteness from the central regions apparently plays a more important role in the formation of temperature anomalies than the type of urban surfaces (asphalt, concrete, lawns). Background temperatures (less than 6°C) were recorded in boreholes located outside the Ring Road. An analysis of patterns in the attenuation of annual temperature variations with depth allowed an area with intense vertical filtration (up to 24 m/year) to be identified near the City Pond. The most significant changes in heat content in the range of 10–50 m are associated with heat leakage from the basements of buildings, equaling to (23–46) × 107 J/m2. However, this heat is only hundredths of a percent of the total energy consumption spent on heating. Conclusions. The subsurface urban heat island of a large Russian city has been characterized for the first time. The results obtained can be used when developing a strategy for megacities in changing climate conditions.

The role of creative industries in the regional economy

Aim. To analyze the role of creative industries in regional economic development with a focus on St. Petersburg. Objectives. To study theoretical approaches to the study of creative industries; to examine the existing concepts of creative industries; to analyze various methods of assessing creative industries and their impact on the regions; to evaluate the contribution of creative industries to the economy of St. Petersburg, to study their dynamics and impact on the socio-economic development of the city.Methods. The authors used general scientific research methods such as deduction, analysis, synthesis and logical analysis. Classical research methods were applied to collect and process data on creative industries.Results. The study determined the role of creative industries in the socio-economic development of regions. The understanding of further prospects of creative industries was formed. The fac[1]tors influencing the economic growth of the region were analyzed. The degree of development of creative industries in St. Petersburg is assessed and their contribution to the structure of gross regional product (GRP) of the region due to the available technical, logistical, digital, cultural and leisure infrastructure is presented. It is concluded that it is the synergetic development of creative industries and related services sector (wholesale and retail trade, catering, tourism, logistics) that can lead to an increase in the quality of life of the population in a particular region, which is the stated goal of socio-economic development of the Russian Federation (RF). Conclusions. Creative industries play a significant role in the regional economy, which is due to their ability to generate creative product and stimulate economic activity. The results of the study showed that the key indicators for assessing the contribution of creative industries are the volume of creative product in the regional GRP, the share of employment in creative sectors and the proportion of creative organizations from the total number of enterprises in the region. The research contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of creative industries’ influence on the socio-economic condition of a large Russian city, and provides a basis for the development of strategies to support and develop them

Population exposure by thoron decay products in multi-story buildings on example of large cities in Russia

Population exposure by thoron decay products in multi-story buildings on example of large cities in Russia

Heavy metals in urban soil: Contamination levels, spatial distribution and human health risk assessment (the case of Ufa city, Russia)

The article examines the concentration of 9 heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Ba and V) and As in the soil cover of the urban area in one of the largest cities in Russia, Ufa (the Republic of Bashkortostan). It is compared with aggregated data of concentrations on urbanized areas in surface soils throughout the world. For elements exceeding the average background values in soils of the urban area (Cr, Ni, Cu and Co), the average concentrations in the city soils were 346, 101, 51 and 18 ppm, respectively. Using enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and concentration coefficients (CC), Cr and Ni were identified as elements entering the soil cover as a result of anthropogenic pollution. Although the level of their enrichment and contamination of soils in the most territory of the city corresponds to the moderate class, there are sites with critical threshold values.Spatial analysis of heavy metals distribution was carried out based on the results of pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk factor (Er) calculations with the use of graphical presentation of results, which allowed specific and detailed description of sites calling for special attention. The use of cluster analysis allowed dividing the sample of chemical elements into groups with probably similar sources of entry into the environment.Monte Carlo modeling of risk calculation showed negligible non-cancer risks for both adult and child populations in most of the city. While children's exposure to Cr was of concern in the more residential part of the city, free of large industrial plants, As posed a threat with respect to cancer risks in the southern part of the city, with elevated concentrations and other HMs in vicinity of the oil refineries.

Economic Methods of Managing the Environmental Safety of Cities Abroad: Tax Aspect

The purpose of the study is to analyze and generalize the economic methods used abroad for managing the environmental safety of a city and to assess the possibility of their use in the practice of Russian cities. The relevance of the work is conditioned by the fact that a significant part of large Russian cities and megalopolises are faced with serious problems in the environmental sphere. Abroad, many years of experience have been accumulated in solving similar issues through the use of methods for managing the environmental safety of the city, which is an argument in favor of its study. The article analyzes the practice of OECD countries in applying economic measures to reduce environmental pollution, ensure environmental balance and comfortable living conditions for the city population. Particular attention is paid to the powers of local governments in the environmental sphere and the degree of their financial autonomy; the benefits of environmental taxation in EU countries, including the transition to a low-carbon economy; organization of ecological cooperation on the principles of the circular economy and within the framework of the model of industrial symbiosis for the processing or use of industrial and household waste. In the course of the work, general scientific and special methods were used, including content analysis of literary sources, comparison, grouping, analogy, systemic and structural analysis, logical generalization. The results of the study consist in assessing the possibilities and determining the conditions for introducing the best foreign practices in environmental safety management in Russian cities; they can be useful to specialists dealing with both the problems of forming management decisions to stabilize the environmental situation in the city, greening the tax system at the local level, and ensuring the rational use of resources in a mobilization economy through cooperative relations in the processing of industrial and household waste through recycling.

Transparency and Its Manifestations in Russian Media Discourse: A Case Study of HC Traktor

The article explores the manifestations of transparency related to the Russian political management in 2018–2019. A discursive analysis included the media materials covering the decision by Chelyabinsk (the seventh largest city in Russia) regional authorities, without public discussion, to allocate significant funds from the city budget to support HC Traktor. The public discussion of this issue was widely reflected in the media. Civic activists accessed official online documents concerning the participatory financing and initiated an online dialogue with the authorities, disagreeing with their decisions, offering alternatives, and suggesting that internal political management be made more public. The study systematizes various aspects of transparency: openness, availability, clarity, democracy, visibility and accountability. Since new media and social networks play a key role in the interaction between the state authorities and public, the paper considers all the structural elements of modern media communication: addressees, target audience, channels of information, the content and form of publications, their perlocutionary effect. The results of our study proved that communicative success was reached by breaking language standards, polycode information delivery, and storytelling techniques. The perlocutionary effect of this transparent media communication was difficult and deferred. The public dialogue did not satisfy the initial public demand, but it did influence the management practices (further reflected in Russia’s federal legislation) and accompanied changes in the composition of regional elites. Keywords: Transparency, information society, public authorities, tropes, stylistic devices, storytelling.

Comparative analysis of architectural and landscape solutions of the Norra Djurgårdsstaden district in Stockholm and the residential complex “Scandinavia” in New Moscow

The reorganization of industrial clusters, the development of new territories attached to cities is a dynamic process of expansion, development and improvement of urban spaces in modern conditions. This process is typical for both European capitals and the largest cities in Russia. The article provides a comparative description of the architectural and landscape solutions of the implemented projects of development and improvement of the North Jurgardstaden district in Stockholm (Sweden) and the residential complex “Scandinavia” in New Moscow (Russia). Similar climatic conditions of the two capitals, the presence of complex terrain and water bodies in the built-up areas made it possible to study the techniques of the so-called Scandinavian "style" on the basis of architectural and landscape analysis of these urban quarters. The study of the functional organization, architectural and landscape solutions, spatial and coloristic expressiveness of the North Jurgardstaden district in Stockholm and the Skandinavia residential complex in New Moscow allowed us to critically evaluate the copying of design solutions without taking into account the specifics, urban context and scale of a specific territory.

Demographic Characteristics of Labor Resources Formation and Use in the Largest Cities of Russia in 2019–2021

The article examines the demographic characteristics of labor resources formation in Russian cities with a population of over a million. The research reveals the role of migration in replenishing largest cities’ labor resources, which corresponds to E.G.Ravenstein’s law that large cities grow mainly due to migration. Based on indicators of demographic well-being, the author gives an assessment of the demographic situation in the largest cities. It has been established that during the pandemic, the intensity of migration processes decreases, and its recovery occurs in cities at different rates. The article presents an analysis of structural changes in employment for large groups of industries and types of economic activity– commodity-producing industries, infrastructure, and social spheres. The reserves for increasing employment in the largest cities are considered. Emphasis is placed on increasing the labor activity of internal migrants, who have advantages compared to foreign labor. The research reveals a significant differentiation of wages across the largest cities, which creates unequal conditions for the reproduction of the labor force. It also determines ratings of the largest cities in terms of generation replacement, employment, unemployment, wages, and the social sphere. The author proposes a development in the system of strategic planning documents of a block of indicators characterizing the achievement of demographic well-being and increasing the efficiency of using the labor potential of the largest cities.

The state in search of intellectual resources: The image of scientist in the perception of Russians

Under global challenges, the Russian state looks for ways to develop the national intellectual potential as a guarantee of technological sovereignty and country’s competitiveness. National research universities are supported, grant mechanisms for research activities are implemented, and programs for attracting and promoting young scientists are adopted. However, some objective indicators show persistent problems in the academic sphere: the number of research staff declines; “brain drain” continues; the number of graduate students and people who defended the thesis is not enough to solve the key problems of the state. The article considers social representations of the prestige of the scientific profession and the image of the scientist as factors that have a negative impact on human resources in the academic field. The research consisted of two stages: 1) 21 focus groups in 7 large Russian cities to identify the prestige of the scientific profession among three generations; 2) 207 interviews with students of Moscow universities (as the main source of personnel for scientific activities) to get a more detailed understanding of the image of the scientist. According to the results of the study, none of three Russian generations consider the profession of the scientist prestigious (inferior to politicians, businessmen, artists, bloggers, and IT specialists). The youth feel social injustice more acutely: they note the exceptional importance of scientists for national development, outstanding intelligence and complexity of this profession, but consider scientists an undervalued and low-income group. The image of the scientist is extremely distanced from the youth and is not an attractive vector of social mobility. One of the key reasons for the current situation is the absence of scientists in the Russian information space. Neither on television, nor in cinema or on social networks the image of the scientist is attractive to younger generations. If efforts are not made to eliminate this contradiction, the shortage of personnel in science will worsen, which would jeopardize the implementation of Russia’s national development plan.

Large Russian Cities and Their Suburbs as Centers of Attraction for Internal Migrants

Large Russian Cities and Their Suburbs as Centers of Attraction for Internal Migrants

Как и почему «человейники» разрушают социальный комфорт мегаполисов?

The problem of construction of residential areas in large Russian cities in the form of so-called ‘human buildings’ in the form of a concentration of high-rise apartment buildings (MKD), which arose several years after the collapse of the USSR in 1991, is becoming more and more aggravated every year. MKDs are often built in violation of current building codes and regulations; almost all new residential complexes lack the necessary social infrastructure (primarily kindergartens, schools, clinics), which, in the absence of sufficient space for residents’ personal cars, creates conditions for uncomfortable living in MKDs. This approach does not correspond to modern ideas about the comfortable life of people in large cities, and it does not take into account such an important factor as internal mass migration (the outflow of residents from the northern and eastern regions of the country).

МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ И СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ РОССИЙСКО-КИТАЙСКОЙ ТРАНСПОРТНОЙ СЕТИ В ТЕКУЩИХ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИХ УСЛОВИЯХ

Taking into account the record high trade turnover between Russia and China at the end of 2022 at $190,3 billion, the question of the degree of development of the transport networks of both countries and the optimization of logistics routes for infrastructural support of the volume of transported goods becomes especially relevant. Thus, after conducting a graph analysis, the authors of this article identified the degree of development of the Russian-Chinese transport network and proposed a number of measures to improve it, based on data from the inertial scenario for the development of trade flows until 2025. In addition, the authors were able to determine the optimal routes between the largest cities of Russia and China, indicate the current state of transport corridors in both directions. In conclusion, it was concluded that the Central Eurasian Corridor is the main railway route in the China-Russia direction and that this situation will continue in the future against the backdrop of the technological backwardness of alternatives. However, according to the results of the study, the pace of improvement of this route is insufficient to fully ensure freight turnover between the two states.

River zones as a tool for increasing the urban sustainability in large cities of Russia

This work studies the main parameters of the major river zones in ten large cities in Russia in terms of their potential to form a blue-green corridor and its efficiency and integrity, which are essential for creating a more sustainable urban environment. We used several indicators to evaluate these aspects, like the green infrastructure availability of river zones, vegetation fragmentation, intactness of the unsealed 200-m riverside line and a functional structure of river zones. The integrated assessment revealed that river zones actually form a blue-green corridors only in two cities, Omsk and Krasnoyarsk. These two blue-green corridors, as well as the potential corridors of Nizhny Novgorod, Ufa and Irkutsk, can be considered the most effective ones. On the contrary, in Kazan, Rostov-on- Don and Khabarovsk, river zones least of all resemble corridors. In the remaining cities, river zones have an insignificantly fragmented vegetation, so they can be probably turned into blue-green corridors if numerous former industrial zones along the river will be transformed into new green elements, and if the existing infrastructure will get more vegetation.

Большой город как предпосылка развития альтернативного школьного образования

A large city 'gives birth' to groups of carriers of certain ideas, values, and attitudes, who seek each other out. Parents choose schools that appear closer to their own values, where the methods of transmitting these values and the forms of classes seem more preferable and coherent. Schools 'attract' those parents whose basic life attitudes align and correlate with the school's mission, values, and strategy. The study aimed to identify factors influencing the development of alternative education in large cities. To achieve this, information was collected and analyzed on 667 private alternative educational projects in the five largest cities of Russia (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan). In each city, five leaders of private alternative educational projects were identified and interviewed in-depth. Interviews and focus groups were also conducted with experts in alternative education. The study revealed that the concentration of maximum professional, infrastructural, economic, cultural, religious, political-ideological, and social diversity in large cities is a precondition for the development of alternative school education. Stimulating factors for the development of alternative education in large cities include overcrowded schools and the quality of education not meeting parents' expectations. The factor of parents plays a significant role: their age, involvement in their children's education, high level of information, etc. The lifestyle of city dwellers is a formative factor. Here, two strategies can be identified: the 'all inclusive' strategy and the strategy of education connoisseurs. At the same time, in a large city, there are also limiting factors for the development of alternative education: a complex transport system and logistical component, expensive rent and/or cost of buildings.

Training and Applying Artificial Neural Networks in Traffic Light Control: Improving the Management and Safety of Road Traffic in Tyumen (Russia)

The article presents the initial experience (spring-summer 2023) of using artificial neural networks (ANN) to improve traffic management in the large Russian city of Tyumen. Using the example of one of the intersections of the city's road network, it is shown how much transport delays are reduced when the duration of the traffic light cycle phases is quickly adjusted to the actual traffic intensity when compared with the usual previously used traffic light predictive mode. For the specific intersection of Odesskaya and Kotovskogo streets in Tyumen, considered in this article, the traffic light control mode using an ANN can significantly (by 20.6 ... 22.4%) reduce the average delay time of vehicles. It is also important that the reduction in traffic delays, which is possible with the regulation of traffic using ANN, helps to reduce stress for road users and improve road safety. The article presents historical data illustrating the dynamics of changes in the field of traffic management and road safety in Tyumen. This information confirms the thesis about the dialectic of systemic development and the need for a gradual increase in the intellectual component of traffic management in large cities. The Applications (Appendix A and Appendix B) present the code of the auxiliary procedures and functions module and the code of the main data collection module used to optimize the traffic light control mode at the experimental intersection of the Tyumen road network. The main conclusion of the study is that the use of an ANN allows for taking into account a much larger number of factors and optimizing the control of the entire object, consisting of several intersections, which is not achievable using predictive modes and local adaptive control.