Social Mapping of Megalopolis Space: Micro-Districts as Places of Residence, Places of Labor and Places of Leisure Activities

Abstract

The article presents the results of studying the functions of urban micro-districts according to their residents’ assessments. We did a mapping of urban space based on a population survey conducted in Yekaterinburg (n = 3570) and developed a composite ratings method. The rating of micro-districts as places of residence included the residents’ satisfaction with different aspects of life; emotional attitude towards micro-districts; choosing the best residential micro-district in the city. The rating of microdistricts as places of labor included such indicators as popularity of the micro-district as a place of labor among the working respondents; the number of facilities in close proximity to the workplace that are used by working citizens; stability when it comes to choosing the micro-district as a workplace. The rating of micro-districts as places of leisure activities was based on the ratings of shopping centers (SC) and leisure areas (LA). We analyzed that portion of respondents who marked SC/LA as frequently visited; the number of micro-districts where visitors come to SC/LA from; the proportion of citizens coming to SC/LA from other micro-districts. The results of the study suggest that there are both multifunctional and mono-functional districts. The central micro-district is considered by residents to be the most attractive in regards to all functions. We identified the controversial tendencies for developing and perceiving urban space, which arise in the aftermath of planned industrial development. We came to the conclusion that modern processes of citizens’ and enterprises’ self-organization have given rise to the compensatory ‘redefinition’ of urban space, which manifests itself in the increasing functional and symbolic value of the city center and a growing number of new (non-industrial) second-tier centers.