Citizens’ role in formation of urban environment design

Abstract

Abstract The article considers citizens as a subject of forming the urban environment design. In the conditions of the city multi-functionality as a territorial entity, new requirements on the creation of urban spaces are imposed. The urban environment should meet the diversity of the population needs, while the city residents themselves become active participants in its planning and design. The primary data were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. 385 citizens of Yekaterinburg were questioned on the basis of quota sampling in order to the study citizens’ opinions about the city of Yekaterinburg and to evaluate their role in the design of the urban environment. Semi-structured interviews (n=12) were organized for the citizens engaged in the city design on a regular basis. 94% of the respondents note the need to form a positive city image. 54% of the respondents believe that they are actors of urban planning. Yekaterinburg residents’ express high willingness to participate in the city design (71%) and 78% of the respondents believe that they can influence on the making decisions by administrative structures. Our respondents consider the following basic mechanisms for implementing their own vision of urban space: discussion in social networks and participation in public hearings.