Social Aspects of Automobilization (By the Example of Empirical Research in Tolyatti)

At present, studying the problems of automobilization is conducted from the positions of socio-economic analysis. The researchers focus on the indicators of car industry development. Automobilization is the object of research by economists, specialists on urban development, historians, and culture experts. Social aspects of automobilization are not sufficiently studied. This means that scientific research of кyльтypoлoгoв is aimed at material factors. Specific individuals, who feel the influence of positive and negative aspects of automobilization, are left without attention. The authors analyze social consequences of automobilization in Russia. The authors note that over the recent twenty years the process of automobilization has been peculiar for very quick rates. The number of cars per 1,000 people doubled. This could be viewed as a progressive phenomenon. However, growth of the number of cars is due not only to domestic production. Used foreign cars are very popular with Russians. The authors analyze the results of sociological surveys, performed in Tolyatti in 2010 and 2015. They provide an idea on change of the needs of Tolyatti residents on preferable characteristics of cars.