Community inside a Metropolis: Features of Local Identity and Maintaining the Socio-cultural Boundaries of the Sokol Settlement

The “Sokol settlement” is a unique “Garden City” village initially built outside of Moscow in the 1920’s, currently located close to the city center, surrounded by a constantly transforming and ever-expanding metropolis. Despite various external and inner threats to its historical appearance and existence as such, it has remained its localization and authenticity largely due to the social organization of its inhabitants. These forms of social organization are closely connected to the local identity of the residents, the features of which regardless of their significant role are still unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the mechanisms and practices, which support the local identity of the residents of the “Sokol settlement” in the changing urban environment. To conduct this research such qualitative methods as observation coupled with interviews with inhabitants of the settlement and of the neighboring districts were used. As a result of the study, the features of this local community, elements of the external image of the 'Sokol settlement', as well as the features of local identity and factors of the rootedness of its inhabitants were identified.