Residents’ perceptions of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games

This study examines the perceptions of local residents prior to the 2014 Sochi Olympic and Paralympic Games. A survey conducted amongst residents, 5 months prior to the Games opening, reveals a lower level of support for the Games during the preparation period compared to other Olympic host cities. Socio-demographic data about the residents help explain the varying attitudes towards the Games that were identified. The conclusions suggest that Sochi residents’ perceptions have been largely influenced by their thoughts regarding potential economic and socio-cultural impacts, whether positive or negative. When these opinions are analysed further, three main considerations were found: (1) impacts on urban development and quality of residential life; (2) positive impacts on tourism and the destination’s economy and (3) negative results of hosting the Games. The study also finds, using structural equation modelling, that residents of Sochi, who could receive some benefit from the Games, were involved in the decision-making process or had more information about the upcoming Games, demonstrated more positive attitudes towards hosting the Olympics.     

The dynamics of housing affordability for the population of Russia in 2008–2014

The article discusses the dynamics of affordability for the Russia’s population of purchase of ownership of housing in the period between the two crises of 2008 and 2014. We conducted a comparative analysis of the results of housing affordability assessment made using different methods. We constructed a typology of Russian regions, i.e., subjects of the Russian Federation on a classical housing affordability index. We made an estimate of the proportion of housing affordable for acquisition by the population and the proportion of households with the opportunity to purchase standard housing. Multivariate calculations conducted will improve the objectivity and reliability of the assessment of housing affordability level. It is shown that the financial affordability of housing in Russia after the crisis of 2008 has increased in all considered indices.     

Monitoring of the state and development problems of cities in Russia in the years of reforms

This paper considers the major characteristics and problems that are typical of the cities of Russia in the recent decades. The role of cities is shown in the formation and functioning of economic and social systems of regions and the country as a whole. The changes in the system for financing urban development from local budgets are analyzed.     

The migration experience of the population of Russian regional centers, based on a sociological survey in 10 cities

Using a sociological survey of the population in 10 regional centers of the Russian Federation as a case study, the article studies the migration experience of Russians (birthplace, moving rate, length of residence at the site of survey, regions or countries of origin). The results are compared in great detail with the 2002 All-Russia Census.     

The housing market of moscow: Development and area differentiation

The evolution and area differentiation of the Moscow housing market are analyzed. Price dynamics and the volume and structure of housing supply in the primary and secondary markets are considered. The area distribution of new buildings of different quality by Moscow administrative districts is analyzed, as well as price differentiation in the secondary market with regard to the city’s raion structure. Special attention is given to the housing potential of Moscow residential areas and the market estimate of the per capita value of “housing capital.”     

The Auction Price of Apartments in Moscow: Hedonic Estimation in Disequilibrium1

The purpose of this paper is to see how economic factors determine prices in the previously communist countries undergoing privatization. This does not concern the auctions of big state enterprises where the prices are found to be rigged. In this paper we estimate hedonic price functions based on a unique data set on auction prices of apartments in Moscow. We collected the data ourselves by attending the auctions and gathered data on the characteristics. We estimated the hedonic equations using a disequilibrium approach because no equilibrium prices were observed for large number of apartments that were withdrawn from the auction. We found that, as the privatization of residential housing was carried out, the hedonic price equations fit the data remarkably well.