RuEn

Journal section "Social and economic development"

Classification of Non-Political Participation Practices of Urban Youth: Forms, Motivation, Barriers

Antonova N.L., Abramova S.B., Gurarii A.D.

Volume 15, Issue 1, 2022

Antonova N.L., Abramova S.B., Gurarii A.D. (2022). Classification of non-political participation practices of urban youth: Forms, motivation, barriers. Economic and Social Changes: Facts, Trends, Forecast, 15(1), 243–257. DOI: 10.15838/esc.2022.1.79.13

DOI: 10.15838/esc.2022.1.79.13

Abstract   |   Authors   |   References
The article explores civic (non-political) participation practices among young people, which are understood as voluntary, public, and altruistic individual or collective actions. They are viewed as a condition for allowing young people to exercise their right to the city and are aimed at transforming urban space. The role of citizens in modern urban centres is increasing; they are becoming not only users, but also co-authors. Local activities that transform the territory in which young people live lead to an increase in their self-esteem and confidence, the acquisition of soft skills, and the formation of norms of interpersonal interaction. This study’s main aim is to identify types of youth civic participation in a large industrial city. Drawing on data from an online survey (quota sampling, n = 800) of young people in the large industrial city of Yekaterinburg (Russia) conducted at the end of 2020, we suggest a typology of civic participation practices. The types were identified through the experience of participation in activities aimed at exercising a right to the city, a willingness to collaborate with other people, the degree of the institutionalisation of civic practices, and motivation to participate or not participate in civic practices. The article argues for building a constructive dialogue with government authorities to meet the needs of young people in transforming urban space. Studying specific do-it-yourself urban design practices in different cities and territories to find the most successful models for potential replication may be a promising direction for further research

Keywords

city, civic participation, right to the city, urban youth

View full article