ИСТИНА

Development of single-industry cities at the North of Russia is determined by specific economic and social conditions, as well as natural and climatic factors. The mono-profile character of single-industry cities' economies poses high development risks of the “boom-bust” type and the relevant social problems. So, what is the current situation in urban development regarding socio-economic, environmental etc. aspects, e.g. what will start / has started after industry fall-down / transformation after the fall of the soviet system? What challenges of their development prospects these cities face today? How do local community participate in urban planning and development and how they try to cope with development challenges (civic engagement)? This paper endeavours to answer the questions, using town of Kirovsk (Murmansk region) for case study. Established as a single-industry town of phosphorous ores mining and processing in the Khibiny Mountains, Kirovsk reflects the situation being common for many industrial post-soviet cities and towns at the North of Russia, which past and present is connected with the resource-oriented economy.