Reflection of the phenomenon of consolidation by citizens: on the materials of a sociological research

The article is devoted to the study of the state of consolidation of urban communities in the Russian regions, the diagnosis of the dispositions of citizens in relation to consolidation processes. The authors consider aspects of urban identity and relevance of consolidation in the minds of residents. The article is based on the materials of a sociological study conducted by the team of the Belgorod State National Research University in 2022 in three constituent entities of the Russian Federation: Belgorod, Voronezh and Kursk regions. It includes a questionnaire survey of the urban population (N = 1 500 respondents) based on a quota (gender, age, place of residence) of the sample. In the conditions of an unfavorable economic situation, which significantly affects the deterioration of the socio-economic foundations of local self-government, and the development of negative social processes solving the problems of urban areas is possible only through collective efforts made by the urban community. Significant opportunities for solving the aggravated problems are associated with the process of social consolidation of the local community.