BUILDING URBAN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF RUSSIAN ARCTIC CITIES

Abstract Russian Arctic is a highly urbanized region, with most towns built in the Soviet era to facilitate extraction industries as well provide and maintain military facilities. Global environmental developmental changes, national political decisions open up Russia’s massive investment, industrial socioeconomic development. How do cities, towns, municipalities reflect on new opportunities terms of designing their climate change adaptation strategies at local level? Starting theoretical discourse urban strategy, this research examines state-of-the-art, challenges trends planning for measures centers. Special attention given comparative analysis cities’ strategies. The role civil society institutions business community strategy process explored. Moreover, conflict sensitive approaches ensure participatory processes implementing are discussed. field component based cities Apatity, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Norilsk, Salekhard, Severodvinsk Monchegorsk, Nickel Vorkuta. study concludes that spite significant identified, total “balance sheet” efforts enhance adaptive capacities quite positive: northern settlements best addressing existing via sustainability approach. However, there more should learn from one another’s experiences, different can be helpful developing adequate level.