RUSSIAN ARCTIC CITIES ON THE PATH TO SMART SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Smart cities are supposed to be a decisive step towards a sustainable future for the Arctic, contributing to a smarter approach to economic, social and environmental development. The theoretical and methodological goal of this study is to input to the testing, adaptation and further improvement of qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing the “smartness” of the Arctic cities in the framework of the socio-humanitarian approach. The scientific and practical goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the movement of arctic cities towards smart sustainability through a qualitative and quantitative analysis on the example of Salekhard and Nadym (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area). During the study, the researchers have identified qualitative features of the implementation of the Russian smart city standard, the trajectory of digital transformation, current and planned city policies, initiatives, projects and strategies designated as “smart”. The results of the analysis of smart sustainable development of Arctic cities, as well as the analysis methodology in general, can be useful to city managers in setting goals, making decisions and evaluating the effectiveness of urban planning and management.