SUSTAINABLE DEYELOPMENT OF UKRAINIAN CITIES IN THE EYES OF PUBLIC OPINION

Valentina PIDLISNYUK

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1489-897X

Lesia SOKOL

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0189-6334

Tetyana STEFANOVSKA

Abstract

"Agenda 21” determinates main stakeholder groups can influence on sustainable development priorities selection: governmental officials, youth, women, local communities, NGOs, and indigenous population. In order to determine main priorities ofsustainable development in urban regions of Ukrainę sociologicalsurveywas conducted in years 2006-2008. Governmental officials from the State level (226 persons), youth (292 persons) and university faculty (33 persons) were interviewed. For each ofthe group separated questionnaire was developed having 13-17 ąuestions, each ąuestion has up to 4 different answers to be selected. Participants ofsurveys also left their own comments and suggestions in terms of ways toward sustainable development.
Bimination of ecological pressure to the environment and improving quality oflife were mainly selected as main priorities in sustainable development for urban areas in Ukrainę among all three groups. Respondents underlined the necessity of complex approaches to economic development and environmental protection; they defined poverty eradication, development of middle-class and provision of the main human needs as goals for current State policy.
Significant role ofpublic in the process ofselection priorities ofsustainable development has been deeply recognized by interviewed persons, in particularfrom urban area. Almostsame results were received from three selected groups in terms of understanding sustainable development main terms, definition and goals.
The aim offurther research should be focused on developingways ofimplementation education component in sustainable development.

Keywords:

urban areas in Ukraine, sustainable development, priorities