Social problem ownership at Taganka, Moscow: Explaining urban protests against infill development projects

Abstract

Focusing on a protest movement against unwanted development projects in Moscow, I consider their opportunities to act, framing mechanism, and outcomes. I regard theoretical tools of “cognitive liberation” and “social appropriation of claims” as most applicable in cases of sustained local activism in the context of Russia, adverse to collective action. One of such groups sets upon infill development projects at Taganka in central Moscow. After reviewing relevant literature, I then proceed to the case study. Given that little is known on the mechanisms through which such groups can persist and exert influence, I compare relative weight of several prospective factors. I conclude this article by arguing that framing mechanisms, especially a certain “ownership frame,” are most relevant in explaining such groups’ remaining motivated for long time and producing unexpected outcomes.