Release:
2026. Vol. 12.. № 2 (46)About the authors:
Anastasia O. Lyovkina, Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Economic Security, System Analysis and Control, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, RussiaAbstract:
With the implementation of national sustainable development strategies and the strengthening of a human-centered approach in public policy, studying the sociocultural potential of cities as hubs of innovation and social activity is particularly important. This is especially relevant for the sparsely populated and strategically important Arctic zone, where sustainable development directly depends on the engagement and proactivity of the local community. The aim of this study is to examine the sociocultural potential of an Arctic city using Salekhard (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug) as an example. Developed based on socio-cultural and activity-based approaches, the author’s methodology provides a comprehensive diagnosis of the resources, problems, and reserves for the development of an urban community, as well as the identification of the level and potential of the socio-cultural activity of its participants. Data from three focus groups (27 participants, 557 statements) served as the empirical base. The key challenges and potential for the development of the urban community and its sociocultural potential were identified. The results of the analysis formed the basis for a SWOT assessment of the city’s sustainable development strategy and recommendations for enhancing its socio-cultural potential through the systematic involvement of citizens in the joint social design of the urban ecosystem, focused on the common constructive meanings, needs, and initiatives of the population.References:
Belyanovskij, S.A., Nikol`skaya, A.V. (2022). To the discussion of focus groups. Monitoring Public Opinion: Economic and Social Changes, 3, 373–393. https://doi.org/10.14515/MONITORING.2022.3.1994 [In Russian]
Kicherova M. N., & Yurina E. A. (2024) Participatory planning as a factor in the development of urban space. Urban Sociology, 2, 5–18. https://doi.org/10.35211/19943520_2024_2_5 [In Russian]
Lapin, N. I. (2020). On the strategy for establishing a socially strong state and developing the civic and public culture of the Russian population. Economic Revival of Russia, 4(66), 13–22. Retrieved April 14, 2026, from https://e-v-r.ru/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EVR_4_2020-ALL.pdf [In Russian]
Lapin, N. I., Velezheva, L. A., & Shabunova, A. A. (Eds.). (2022). Sociocultural Evolution of Russia: 30 Years of Research. Ves Mir. [In Russian]
Mironenko, I. A., & Sorokin, P. S. (2022). The problem of human agency in contemporary international science. Psychological journal, 43(4), 79–89. https://doi.org/10.31857/
S020595920021483-7 [In Russian]
Nedoseka, E. V., Sharova, E. N., & Shorokhov, D. M. (2024). Shrinking cities of the Russian Arctic: Statistical trends and public discourse on the causes of population outflow. Arctic and North, 54, 169–189. https://doi.org/10.37482/issn2221-2698.2024.54.169 [In Russian]
Papenov, K. V., Nikonorov, S. M., & Sitkina, K. S. (2019). Sustainable Urban Development. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Economics. [In Russian]
Pevnaya, M. V., Shuklina, E. A., & Chernikova-Buka, M. (2022). students’ participation in the socio-cultural development of the city: Socio-cultural agency issues (international research perspectives). Sociological Studies, 5, 101–113. https://doi.org/10.31857/S013216250018512-6 [In Russian]
Smirennikova, E. V., Ukhanova, A. V., & Voronina, L. V. (2021). Assessment of the demographic potential of the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation in the context of innovative development. Arctic: Ecology and Economy, 11(1), 19–29. https://doi.org/10.25283/2223-4594-2021-1-19-29 [In Russian]
Chernysh, M. F., & Markin, V. V. (Eds.). (2022). Sociocultural Potential of Small Towns in Russia. Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.19181/
sbornik.978-5-89697-401-7.2022 [In Russian]
Cavazzoni, F., Fiorini, A., & Veronese, G. (2022). How do we assess how agentic we are? A literature review of existing instruments to evaluate and measure individuals’ agency. Social Indicator Research, 159, 1125–1153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02791-8
Galvin, B. M. (2018). Changing the focus of locus (of control): A targeted review of the locus of control literature and agenda for future research. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 39(7), 820–833. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2275
Han, M. J. N., & Kim, M. J. (2025). A smart social sustainability model for smart city to enhance human context experience. Cities, 159, 105788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.
2025.105788
He, Y., Li, Z., Wang, X., & Chen, X. (2025). Government investment, human capital flow, and urban innovation: Evidence from smart city construction in China. International Review of Financial Analysis, 99, 103916. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IRFA.2025.103916
Kapsalis, T. (2023). Promoting sustainable futures through community proactivity: The social impact. Societal Impacts, 1(1–2), 100015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socimp.2023.100015
Karvonen, A., Cvetkovic, V., Herman, P. et al. (2021). The “New Urban Science”: Towards the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary pursuit of sustainable transformations. Urban Transformations, 3(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/S42854-021-00028-Y
Kidron, A., & Vinarski-Peretz, H. (2024). Linking psychological and social capital to organizational performance: A moderated mediation of organizational trust and proactive behavior. European Management Journal, 42(2), 245–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EMJ.2022.11.008
Nakano, S., & Washizu, A. (2021). Will smart cities enhance the social capital of residents? The importance of smart neighborhood management. Cities, 115, 103244. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CITIES.2021.103244
Prateeppornnarong, D. (2025). Cities and sustainability: Exploring contributions, opportunities and challenges of smart city implementation towards social sustainability. Urban Governance, 5(1), 69–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ugj.2025.02.005
Shen, L., Ochoa, J., & Bao, H. (2023). Strategies for sustainable urban development — exploring innovative approaches for a liveable future. Buildings, 13(3), 764–764. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13030764
Stradling, D. (2023). Reimagining urban sustainability scholarship. Journal of Urban Affairs, 45(7), 1387–1390. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2022.2148784
Zhao, P., Ali, Z. M., & Ahmad Y. (2023). Developing indicators for sustainable urban regeneration in historic urban areas: Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Sustainable Cities and Society, 99, 104990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104990
