Social Attractiveness of Cities in the Chelyabinsk Region: Current State and Development Vectors

In the context of the transformation of spatial policy of the Russian Federation, studies aimed at rethinking the role of cities as spaces of everyday life and centres of sustainable development are becoming increasingly important. The article analyses the phenomenon of social attractiveness of cities in the Chelyabinsk region as a factor determining not only demographic dynamics but also the sustainability of the settlement system in the region. The relevance of the study is due to the need for a comprehensive analysis of the urban environment beyond standard economic indicators. The purpose of the article is to identify the features of social attractiveness of the cities of the Chelyabinsk region based on subjective indicators of quality of life. The empirical basis of the study was data on five cities of the region included in the Unified List of Key Settlements of the Russian Federation, using the indicators of the quality of life index of VEB.RF. The analysis of indicators for two blocks (life satisfaction and social attractiveness) was carried out, and a comparative assessment of deviations of values from the average Russian level was carried out. The results obtained demonstrate the presence of pronounced heterogeneity in assessments of the urban environment and persistent problems in the fields of ecology, education, and improvement. Particular attention is paid to the vectors of development of social attractiveness of the cities of the Chelyabinsk region. Taking into account current trends and regional characteristics, strategic vectors of development of the region are identified, including a human-centred approach, development of tourism, creative industries, environmental transformation and modernisation of social infrastructure. The results of the article can be used in the development of regional development strategies and municipal programmes and as a basis for subsequent empirical studies of the urban environment in industrial regions of Russia. Authors’ contribution. A.O. Uzhegov – developed the concept of the article, formulated the concept of “social attractiveness of the city”, conducted the analysis and interpretation of the studied indicators, determined the vectors of development of social attractiveness of cities in the Chelyabinsk region, and took part in writing the introduction and conclusion; S.A. Melenkina – took part in the writing of the introduction, analysis and interpretation of indicators, as well as in writing the conclusion.