Self-government Elements in Town-planning of the Russian Federation: Public Hearings Experience

Abstract

Abstract. The authors consider possibilities of public control of townplanning projects' approval by means of public hearings. They underline the significance of public hearings which enable clarifying the viewpoints of experts, citizens and formulating an efficient action plan with account of opinions of all the concerned parties. The article analyses Russian Legislation related to public hearings, notes disadvantages of legislation in terms of public hearings organization and breaches of hearing procedure basing on case studies of public hearings in Russian cities. The authors studied the experience of public hearings in the European countries. Using positive examples of public hearings organization in Denmark they formulated their proposals on optimization of this democratic institution in Russia. The authors also demonstrate the need for sociological research to assess the effectiveness of urban planning decisions and activities of the municipal authorities in the field of creating a comfortable environment.