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Ivashinenko N.N., Teodorovich M.L., Patokina N.N. [Local communities as drivers for the development of small towns] World of Science. Series: Sociology, Philology, Cultural Studies, 2023, Vol. 14, No. 3. Available at: https://sfk-mn.ru/PDF/30SCSK323.pdf (in Russian).

Local communities as drivers for the development of small towns

Ivashinenko Nina Nikolaevna
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
E-mail: ivni@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5242-169X
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=330054

Teodorovich Mikhail Leonidovich
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
E-mail: mt231@yandex.ru
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=498595

Patokina Natalia Nikolaevna
Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
E-mail: natpatok@gmail.com
RSCI: https://elibrary.ru/author_profile.asp?id=1039136

Abstract. The article is devoted to developing small towns as territories with low economic resources but a higher level of involvement of local communities in life issues. Based on the sociology of space and economic concepts of goal-setting in territorial development, a new approach to this problem is proposed by considering the role of social groups representing local communities, occupying different positions and playing different roles in territorial development.

The article discusses the theoretical approaches necessary to build a model, analyses the formation of a legislative framework that supports the development of local self-government, and provides data from sociological research. As an empirical base, we used a survey of the population in one of the small towns of Russia. From our analysis, we derived a typology of social groups based on their readiness and engagement in local community activities: (1) mobile, tuned to leave the territory, (2) active, interested in local development, (3) passive and (4) rooted-neutral. The established structure is vital for evaluating and comprehending the driving forces behind territorial development. The interest or indifference of its inhabitants towards its well-being and future prospects plays a pivotal role in determining the state of local communities — whether they flourish or decline. Subsequently, this impacts the territories where they operate. If the group of mobiles begins to exceed the group of active in size, then the territory will lose resources. A new equilibrium will be established when part of the mobiles realizes their plans, and the population will decrease. If the passive group prevails over the active group, it becomes difficult to involve the rooted neutrals in the city’s life, whose spontaneous activity largely depends on the leading vector. Our study revealed the characteristics of the groups and the factors influencing their behaviour. The developed model and research methodology can be adapted to other territories to decipher small community development patterns. This helps in fostering conditions that augment the segment of the population actively invested in territorial development. Additionally, it aids in establishing mechanisms that bolster interaction among key stakeholders.

Keywords: small towns; local communities; territorial development; social management; sociological analysis; economic resources of the territory; socio-economic activity

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