Public spaces as spaces of fear and alienation? Youth in public spaces in St. Petersburg, Russia

One of the problems Russian cities encountered in the post-socialist period is the lack of public space, and ‘fencing in’ of open spaces within the residential districts. The alienation of public spaces corresponds with the general alienation of the public life and participation. The paper focuses on the negative effects of the public space in a city in transition, such as social exclusion, and xenophobia among young people.

Our research in two neighborhoods in St. Petersburg (Kupchino – soviet era ‘sleeping district’, with huge open areas, Obvodny Kanal – residential area from early 20^th century with dense construction and small open areas, mainly internal yards) had a goal to investigate the possible difference in place perception and use among young people with different social background, as well as the impact of the built environment and planning system on the public space perception. On the basis of observation in public spaces and the interviews with local youth we found out that in case of Kupchino big open spaces and permanent encounters with the ‘Others’ correspond with the perception of the neighborhood as hostile and with xenophobic moods among young people. The open public space allows people to observe social / ethnic diversity; however, that doesn’t engender any sense of community. On the contrary, in the anonymous space of the district it increases the fears. In case of Obvodny where the deficit public spaces are divided between different groups that avoid contact the neighborhood is described as more ‘cozy’ and friendly.

The socialist legacy can partly explain the preference given to semi-private spaces by the city dwellers: open ‘public’ spaces are perceived as something alien and belonging to the state, not to the inhabitants. Only the separation and privatizing of the space can provide young people with sense of belonging to the place.