Territorial identity of citizens in the context of megapolis space

The paper is devoted to the importance of local territorial space for the residents of a megapolis by its location in the system of the city spatial formations, a certain infrastructure, specificity and originality of social contacts, social conditions, history, and contiguity of valuesand meanings that ensure comfortable living environment and optimal social and psychological well-being of specific territorial communities. The problem of the tendency to blur the territories’ personalization and local boundaries that results in reducing the link between residents' identity and territories is considered in the article. The authors provide deep insight into the main scientific methodological approaches to the concept of territorial identity through sociocultural and socio-psychological understanding, and through processes affecting the maintenance of the unique "place" in the structure of urban space. The results of a standardized survey interview with residents of a megacity aimed at identifying the interconnections of their perception of their territory, its identification and understanding the importance of the local territory for the integrity of urban space are given. The authors conclude that majority of the citizens positively perceive their place of residence, identify themselves with the local territorial communities, their interests and values and becomes aware of the level of significance of “their” territory integrated into the structure of the city’s space.