Formation of Urban Identity in the Process of Changing the Residence on the Example of the New Dwellers

The paper deals with the process of urban identity formation of new residents of Moscow. Urban identity is defined as a part of socio-territorial identity, formed through interactions with the urban environment and urban community, "internal binding" of the individual to the place of residence, at the same time including cognitive, emotional (affective), value and motivational component. The paper also discusses the main processes of formation and components of urban identity. In the course of empirical research the strategies of adaptation of new residents of Moscow and the main factors influencing the formation of urban identity are highlighted: "I am a resident of my city" vs "I am a new Muscovite". The main results relate to testing the hypothesis that since there are stereotypes in society about the identity of "Muscovite" as a prescribed status, the visiting residents of the city of Moscow develop compensatory urban identity "I am a resident of my city", trying to acquire inaccessible habit of Muscovite by assimilating the socio-cultural space of the city.