Youth leisure in medium-sized cities and megalopolis in the Urals: comparative analysis

The article discusses the specifics of youth leisure in middle-town and in a megalopolis of the Ural’s region, which, of course, is distinguished by the presence and prevalence of various leisure forms. Leisure forms are constantly being transformed in connection with social development, the development of ICT, and fashion. Young people, being a fairly active group that is able to accept everything new, quickly adapt to innovations, are capable of creating them, and are more involved in various leisure activities. The study was conducted in 2020 in Yekaterinburg using a quantitative - online questionnaire method (n= 850) and a qualitative strategy - in-depth interview (n=5). The purpose of the study is a comparative analysis of youth leisure in the Ural’s middle-towns and in the megalopolis. Based on the study, the authors conclude that in general, urban youth today is engaged in passive, individual forms of leisure. The dominant types of leisure activities are associated with the following modern technologies: the Internet, remote communication with loved ones. Traditional collective forms are losing their relevance. At the same time, young people living in the megalopolis use leisure activities, including for self-development. In general, the study has revealed that, despite the fact that both in the megaloplis and in middle-towns entertaining, individual, innovative forms of leisure activities are predominant, in middle-towns the influence of traditional practices (reading, communicating with friends, etc.) more pronounced.