Deurbanization of Modern Society: Nature, Specifics, Risks

Abstract

The article studies deurbanization as a manifestation of contradictory nature of the urbanization process. Unlike most interpretations of deurbanization as a process, that has only quantitative characteristics (an increase in the number of migrants from city to village), the author defines deurbanization as qualitative changes in the urban environment, degradation of the institutions of urban infrastructure and urban lifestyle. The author shows manifestations and risks of deurbanization caused by environmental problems, contradictions of modernization and globalization processes. The article highlights resource, subjective and communicative factors for the emergence of deurbanization risks. The interrelation of quality of the urban environment with a model implemented in the society of social policy, with the development of civil self-organization and self-government is grounded. It is noted that the formation of economy and society based on knowledge is incompatible with the degradation of urban infrastructure of most Russian megacities.