Vol. 54 No. 1 (2026): Published March 30, 2025
DOI https://doi.org/10.18799/26584956/2026/1/2128
Problems and prospects of participatory design of urban environments (A Case Study of Asino, Tomsk region)
Relevance. Growing role of participatory design in urban improvement programs in Russia. Aim. To assess the practical applicability of theoretical models of a participatory approach and identify key methodological and communicative challenges in its implementation using the development of a project to improve Telmana Street in the small town of Asino (Tomsk region) as an example. Methods. Comparative analysis of “project-based” (focused on improvement results) and "participatory" (focused on residents' cultural meanings) approaches. The empirical base consisted of comprehensive field research, including online surveys, in-depth interviews, focus groups, public discussions, workshops, and observation. Results. Practice in the Tomsk region demonstrates a shift from a formal “project-based” approach to an integrative model combining information sharing, proposal collection, and collaborative creativity. Considering the historical context and residents' values (closeness to nature, nostalgia for the past, sports) allowed us to identify the project substantive priorities. However, the analysis revealed systemic problems: biased participation by different population groups (predominance of older women), lack of trust in authorities, and communication barriers between experts and residents. Conclusions. The need to institutionalize participatory practices and move from ad hoc participation to a system of co-management of the urban environment. A sustainable model requires transparent feedback mechanisms, ongoing dialogue with communities, and the development of moderation skills. Asino experience confirms that dialogue between authorities, experts, and residents can lead to more meaningful and practical solutions, although success requires systematically overcoming the identified barriers.
For citation: Kashpur V.V., Pirogov S.V., Filimonov A.E. Problems and prospects of participatory design of urban environments (case study of Asino, Tomsk region). Journal of Wellbeing Technologies, 2026, vol. 54, no. 1, pp. 224−235. https://doi.org/10.18799/26584956/2026/1/2128
Keywords:
participatory design, participatory approach, territory enhancement, small towns, Tomsk region
References:
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