Methodological problems of territorial identity studies: city, agglomeration, region

The article considers the main problems of territorial identity formation. The authors analyze the works of recent years that explore economic and political factors, ethnic and revisionary components of identity formation, the role of identity politics in electoral processes. In the context of territorial development, a separate part of the work is devoted, firstly, to conceptual issues, i.e. the assessment of existing terms denoting various territorial entities (city / region / agglomeration / metropolis). Secondly, the problems of economic and social integration, consolidation of residents, and political trust in the new emerging political and governance structures are highlighted. The corpus of relevant methodologies that are used in this field is identified. One of the most widespread methods of studying identity remains mass surveys of residents, which allow us to determine the spatial boundaries of identity in agglomerations. The case study method is applied in the context of studying the relationship between civil society organizations and identity politics. Regression analysis based on mass survey data is utilized to examine different levels of identity (national, agglomeration, regional, local) and the level of their expression. In addition, examples of studies focused on identifying municipal and inter-municipal territorial identity are given. The analysis of media texts and social networks is also used to identify various discursive practices used to actualize certain components of identity. Cross-national comparative studies remain one of the significant modern methods of studying the territorial identity of city residents. Researchers analyze the factors of integration of agglomerations' residents, their ideological attitudes, awareness of urban governance and reforms. Some examples of international relations and conflict situations’ influence on changes in the national discourse of identity politics are given.

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