The coronavirus pandemic as a transformational processes factor of the urban creative environment (According to the sociological study results)

The article reveals the specifics of transformational processes in the urban creative environment of modern Russian society in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The results of a sociological study (method of expert interviews) conducted in 2021 in Saratov as an empirical basis were used. The purpose of this paper is to present the assessment of the various experts who are respondents in this study regarding the pandemic factor of changes in the creative space of a typical Russian city. Almost opposite assessments were revealed regarding the nature of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the urban creative environment as a whole and its individual components. The respondents point out both the negative aspects (for example, a sharp decrease in the volume of client fl ow in the creative industry of the city, the closure of individual creative facilities and projects), and the positive aspects (the prompt introduction of modern formats for the work of objects in the creative sphere, the creation of new creative projects) of the infl uence of the phenomenon under consideration. In general, the experts admit that most of the subjects of the urban creative space have somehow adapted to the new, unprecedented conditions and challenges of the external environment, and some of them even received additional opportunities for development. The creative space of the Russian city as a whole demonstrated its stability, fl exibility and adaptability and constructive response to challenges. But due to the importance of the creative environment as a factor of improving the quality of life of the population, the state support is needed. The results of the study can be used as the basis for management activities to develop and support the urban creative environment of modern Russian society in diffi cult socio-economic conditions.