Co-development

The rapid development of information technology opens up new opportunities for preserving and popularizing cultural heritage sites as well as creating attractive tourist products that focus on deep immersion in the history and traditions of regions. This project is a result of cooperation between the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov (SamSU). Combining the efforts of these two leading scientific and educational centers in Russia and Uzbekistan allows us to effectively use the competencies and expertise of each party. The interests of project participants intersect in efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of two historically significant cities, while also creating conditions for the sustainable development of cultural-educational tourism. By considering the needs of various stakeholders, including local communities, it will be possible to form integrated platforms for preserving and promoting cultural heritage and strengthening the brands of St. Petersburg and Samarkand. The result of the research will be the development of a system of models for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage through various integrated tourism platforms.

The study aims to substantiate the role of creative industries and tourism as driving forces in the transformation of Arctic cities and territories. Within the framework of the research, the following areas are examined: the impact of creative industries and tourism on the development of Arctic cities and territories; cluster‑based and other collaborative initiatives in these fields as tools that facilitate the development of urban spaces; and creative industries as a “third place” for local residents and tourists.

In fall of 2021, the Laboratory for Management in Culture and Tourism of the Higher School of Economics in Saint-Petersburg in cooperation with the Russian department of the Internal Council of Museums (ICOM Russia) conducted a survey among museum supervisors and employees involved in creation, marketing and use of digital products.

In the context of restrictive measures triggered by the COVID‑19 pandemic, Russian museums have faced the need to adapt to new working conditions and to seek additional sources of funding. In response to these challenges, the Laboratory, in collaboration with the Union of Museums of Russia, conducted a study aimed at assessing museums’ readiness to adopt new formats of interaction with visitors. In June 2020, a survey of 230 museums was carried out, which revealed that the majority of them are prepared to diversify their working formats, including guided tours, educational programmes, and innovative events such as masterclasses and quests. The findings of the study will assist museums not only in the short term, but also in the long term, when a broader range of formats will be required to attract audiences.