Housing problem: micro-apartments and everyday life of citizens 

Elena N. Zaborova, Doctor of sociological sciences, professor, professor of the sub-department of economic theory and applied sociology, Ural State University of Economics (62 8th Mart street, Yekaterinburg, Russia),  ezaborova@yandex.ru

Background. Currently, both in our country and abroad, there is a growing trend towards a decrease in the total area of housing, micro-apartments with a size of 9–18 square meters. Researchers believe that this trend will increase in the nearest future. Abroad, especially in densely populated countries, the phenomenon of mini-housing has been widespread for a long time and on a much larger scale. In the information field, stories appear both justifying and condemning the living of people in such apartments. The purpose of the study is to identify the impact of living in a micro-apartment on the everyday life of citizens. Materials and methods. In our country, scientific research on mini-housing is just beginning. As a methodological basis, such conceptual concepts as “microapartment” and “everyday life of citizens” are used. A functional method, an integrated approach, generalization and analysis of both scientific materials and expert opinions reflected in the media are used. Statistical data is used. Results. It has been proven that there is currently a growing trend of acquiring and living in very small apartments. A range of main actors interested in such housing has been identified (developers and investors, lowincome people, students, young people, businessmen who come to a large city on business trips, etc.). The reasons and factors behind the growing popularity of micro-apartments are analyzed. Conclusions. Currently, there is no consensus in assessing the impact of living in a micro-apartment on the everyday life of citizens, polar points of view are expressed. The growing trend of increasing the number of micro-apartments dictates the need to strengthen both the scientific study of the phenomenon of micro-apartments and its impact on everyday life, and the correction of the housing policy pursued by the state and municipal authorities.

housing, micro-apartment, everyday life, townspeople

Zaborova E.N. Housing problem: micro-apartments and everyday life of citizens. Izvestiya vysshikh uchebnykh zavedeniy. Povolzhskiy region. Obshchestvennye nauki =
University proceedings. Volga region. Social sciences. 2023;(2):145–155. (In Russ.). doi: 10.21685/2072-3016-2023-2-13