RUSSIAN URBAN AREAS GLOBALIZATION PATH (CASE OF ST. PETERSBURG CREATIVE INDUSTRIES)

Many Russian urban areas (cities and towns) are involved into globalization process at least to some extent. Being goods, services or capital exporters/importers this settlements are by all means parties of the globalization process. Majority of Russian urban areas, as well as national economy as whole, are following the obvious path. That means they are mainly dealing with the fuels and other natural resources export and machinery and other manufactured goods and services import. St. Petersburg is the second biggest city in Russia (4th in Europe) with total population over 5.2 million inhabitants and is extremely important industrial, commercial, scientific, cultural national center. At the same time St. Petersburg has some economic and social problems (underdeveloped infrastructure, old technology based industrial enterprises number, low population life expectancy, etc.). In order to solve different problems the city Government has designed the socio-economic development strategy up to 2030 (Strategy). The Strategy goal - to ensure citizens stable life quality and increase St. Petersburg global competitiveness based on the national development priorities implementation, sustainable economic growth and use of innovation and technology activities. Present socio-economic development features highlight the cultural resources and creativity as one of the modern, post-industrial economy basis. Creative approach gives an opportunity to find new and unique solutions in a rapidly changing world. Therefore, creative industries (CI) development provides a significant competitive advantage to the St. Petersburg economy. The city has a large, but still not sufficiently realized CI potential.