Introduction. The digital transformation of public governance is accompanied by the active implementation of distributed ledger technologies, with blockchain occupying a special place. Despite the high potential of decentralization, immutability, and algorithmic enforceability of rules, the question of blockchain’s actual capabilities and limitations within hierarchical state structures remains open. Objective – to critically analyze the dual nature of blockchain in public administration, identify institutional conflicts arising from the integration of network technology, and substantiate strategies for the state's adaptation to the new technological reality.

Materials and methods. The theoretical and methodological foundation of this study was established through the analysis of scientific publications and expert reports on the implementation and potential applications of blockchain as a tool for optimizing and improving public administration systems, as well as a comparative analysis of 25 blockchain implementation cases in various countries.

Results. Effective domains of blockchain application are identified (land registries, digital identification, automated regulated payments); consortium (private) blockchains dominate the public sector (the vast majority of cases). A five‑dimensional typology of institutional risks is developed: technical, legal, political, ethical, and strategic.

Discussion. The findings refute the techno‑optimistic narrative of complete state replacement by blockchain. Hybridization is observed: the state retains control over network nodes, the legal framework, and enforcement mechanisms, transforming into a «platform state» model where routine functions are algorithmized and public authority focuses on strategic regulation. The proposed recommendations are of practical value for ministries of digital development, data regulators, the judicial system, security agencies, and international organizations.

Conclusion. Blockchain is effective only for a narrow class of tasks requiring absolute record reliability. The main implementation barrier is institutional, not technical. The promising model is controlled decentralization through consortium blockchains.

This article investigates the relationship between the subjective perception of urban space and the territorial identity of residents, using the vernacular districts of Novosibirsk as a case study. The aim of the study is to differentiate perceptions of the boundaries of vernacular districts depending on the nature of residents' territorial identity and to test a hybrid methodological tool for studying them. The research methodology is based on a combination of a formalized survey (N=204) with a method of modified mental mapping: respondents drew district boundaries on maps. This approach made it possible not only to record verbal attitudes but also to visualize the respondents' spatial images. The main results include the construction of a typology of territorial identity ("local patriots," "uninvolved critics," "informed skeptics," "consumers") and an analysis of its connection with cartographic data. It was revealed that mental boundaries rely on natural and artificial barriers, are dynamic (i.e., they can expand to include new significant objects), and are capable of forming zones of "dual appropriation." The study demonstrated that geographical context (the shape and size of an area) acts as a moderator in the relationship between identity and spatial perception. In large, elongated areas, "local patriots" lead in terms of boundary complexity, whereas in compact central areas, they cede this primacy. "Consumers," however, exhibit a style invariant to the environment, which points to a stable cognitive pattern. The value of the research lies in the empirical demonstration of how identity acts as a prism that refracts objective geography into subjective landscapes. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of applying the obtained conclusions and the tested toolkit for more nuanced urban policy and development projects that take into account the real patterns of residents' perception of the territory.