E-Participation Mechanisms at Municipal Level in Saint-Petersburg: Expert Survey Results

This paper presents the expert survey results on e-participation development at municipal level in Saint Petersburg. The research was based on the institutional approach. The institutional model of e-participation functioning showing 6 communication channels between government and citizens was used in the research design: portals of urban issues, e-receptions, participatory budgeting technologies, e-voting, crowdsourcing platforms, and personal visits. 50 experts from the city administration, municipalities, house and communal services companies, and subordinated institutions took part in the survey. The survey revealed the most frequently used channels for communicating with citizens: responses to citizens’ requests and applications at Governor’s e-reception and portal “Our Petersburg”. According to the survey, the most effective channels for applying for various problems and solving them are “Our Petersburg” portal, as well as personal appeals of citizens to government bodies. The research results could be of interest for the development of practical recommendations for the municipal administrations for e-participation activities organization.