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Vol 7, No 4 (2017)

Theoretical and Methodological Framework of Spatial Studies

Schematics of Russia’s averaged regions: Modeling attempted “from below”

Treivish A.I.

Abstract

An inductive approach is proposed and implemented to model (schematize) an averaged region of contemporary Russia, its main macrozones, and the part of it that approximately corresponds to the Russian Empire in the late 19th century. The main technique is the averaging of statistical indicators and, if possible, spatial structures of 82 regions close to the federal subjects, as well as 47 gubernatorial units at the end of the 19th century according to six selected groups of features (properties): from the geographical shape and composition of a region’s external contour to the number and pattern of transport arteries and natural watercourses. The results are visualized as maplike schematics, or cartoids. The stages and techniques of filling the schematics with content, that is, with property groups and respective thematic image layers are described. The present day regions are assessed by the degree of their correspondence to the model cartoid according to 24 indicators; cases and grounds for strong deviation are identified. In conclusion, problems and capabilities of applying the proposed idea are briefly discussed, e.g., for “geographizing” regional and national typologies.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):291-302
pages 291-302 views

Variations in Socioeconomic Development by Region

Diversification of regional economic structure as growth strategy: Pros and cons

Mikheeva N.N.

Abstract

Different aspects of diversifying regional economies are analyzed in the article. The results of analyzing changes in sectoral employment structures, gross value added, and industrial production for 2000–2014 are presented, and quantitative estimations of the diversification processes for regional economies and their influence on economic growth are given. Calculations have shown that the sectoral structures of employment and production remain stable within a sufficiently long period, the scale effect is a significant factor of the structural changes, and sectoral structures are most flexible in regions with low economic potential and stable in large regions. The quantitative estimates of diversification of the sectoral employment structures, gross value added, and industrial production indicate different orientations of these processes. The employment structure became more diversified within the considered period, the diversification indicators of the sectoral structures of gross value added and industry declined on average, and the economy of regions became more specialized. The diversification processes of sectoral employment structures, gross value added, and industrial production differ in the character of their influence on economic dynamics. The relationship between diversification of the employment structure and the dynamics indicator is negative for growth rates of employment and industrial production. The growth rates of gross regional product, real income of the population, and labor efficiency are positively related to employment diversification. The relationship of diversification level and growth rates is negative for the sectoral structure of gross value added and industry. The hypothesis is confirmed that diversification can provide stable growth in a regional economy, but does not provide high growth rates. A breakthrough takes place due to intensification of specialization, as is shown by the economic dynamics of regions that achieved the highest growth rates.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):303-310
pages 303-310 views

Spatial Features of Rural Development

Twenty-five years of Russia’s post-Soviet agriculture: Geographical trends and contradictions

Nefedova T.G.

Abstract

Structural and regional changes in Russian agriculture over the past 25 years are analyzed, and the main antagonistic trends in its development are identified. Regional differences in decreasing planted areas are considered, which nevertheless did not hinder increased crop production or its exports. Annual changes in the balances of production and consumption; grain, meat, and milk exports and imports; and regional shifts in the production of key products are analyzed. Herd dynamics of various cattle and poultry species and changes in the ratio of meat-to-milk production at agricultural enterprises, farms, and homesteads are considered. Analysis of production concentration in agroholdings has shown that it facilitates urban food supply, but intensifies the spatial polarization of agriculture. Changes in the production pattern in the aftermath of the crisis and modernization of agriculture are considered in comparison to decreasing employment, the low prestige of agricultural labor, and its underpayment. These have resulted in increased rural unemployment and expanded temporal labor migration (otkhodnichestvo) from country to cities. Temporal labor migration in several regions surrounding the Moscow agglomeration has led to the blockage of agricultural development. Graphs and maps are widely used.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):311-321
pages 311-321 views

Strategic challenges of the development of agriculture in Russia

Averkieva K.V., Dan’shin A.I., Zemlyanskii D.Y., Lamanov S.V.

Abstract

The paper discusses the key strategic challenges of the development of agriculture in Russia. The materials were not only statistical data, but also the results of expert interviews with heads of agricultural enterprises, farmers, and employees of local and regional administrations in several regions. The internal and external factors of the development of industry in Russia are assessed in the format of SWOT analysis. The following is identified among the key strategic challenges: the processes of intensification of agricultural production; overcoming the quantitative and skill deficit of human resources; adaptation of the development of the agrarian infrastructure to modern realities; preservation of the multistructural character of the industry. Each of these processes is considered in more detail at the regional level. An assessment is made of territorial differences in the intensity of modernization processes in agriculture and the renewal dynamics of the agricultural machinery fleet. The regional features of agricultural employment are singled out, and limiting factors of attracting qualified workers in agriculture are defined. The paper assesses the effectiveness of state support for agricultural production. Examples are given of the discrepancy between the distribution of federal subsidies and the real geography of production.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):322-332
pages 322-332 views

Regional Development

Competitive positions of a region in innovative economic development

Fridman Y.A., Rechko G.N., Pimonov A.G.

Abstract

With a case study of the Kemerovo oblast coal industry, this paper quantitatively assesses the impact of innovative development on competitiveness of a region in a range of economic sectors. It is proposed to assess regional competitiveness based on a number of factors, such as regional economic capacity, efficiency of regional economic capacity utilization, a region’s attractiveness to the population, business attractiveness of the region, and innovation capacity of the regional economy. The competitiveness of five regions of the Siberian Federal District, namely, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk and Tomsk oblasts, as well as Krasnoyarsk krai and Altai krai, is analyzed and compared. These regions have close trade and economic relations; many of their commodity, food and labor markets intersect, being subject to regional competition. The innovative development indicators that express the competitive advantages of the Kuzbass coal industry and, thus, of the regional economy are identified. Such indicators include expenditures on technological innovation, the number of advanced manufacturing technologies used, the share of employees with higher professional education in the regional coal industry workforce, workplace capital intensity, and workplace financial performance of the regional coal industry. It is established that the creation of “expensive” jobs for the Kuzbass coal industry contributes to the innovative economic development of the entire region.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):333-341
pages 333-341 views

Reindustrialization of the economies of rural territories (a case study of Novosibirsk oblast)

Zhdan G.V., Shchetinina I.V., Voronov Y.P.

Abstract

The article proves the necessity and analyses the problems of reindustrializing the economy of rural territories under modern conditions. As an example, Novosibirsk oblast is chosen, since its government, together with the authors of the article, is developing a program to reindustrialize the regional economy. Ways of overcoming the problems of reindustrializing the economy of rural territories at different levels of government (rural settlement, municipal district, federal subject) are proposed based on a study of domestic and foreign experience, analysis of statistical data, and current practice. A comprehensive program-target approach to managing reindustrialization of the rural economy, the formation of sectoral and territorial-industrial clusters, and selection and support for promising innovative projects by state structures and the business community should be the basis for solving such problems. The best practices and promising innovative projects presented to the Novosibirsk oblast administration are shown, which significantly improve the efficiency of production in the countryside in various fields of activity. These include the creation of a combine for deep processing of grain within the framework of the Barabinsk complex, сreation of a factory for production of fodder from waste products from food production (beer pellets, grain wastes, bran) under an investment project by LLC Financial Company Innet, construction of an animal breeding complex under the investment project LLCKFKH Russkoe Pole, creation of a complex for industrial production and complex processing of turkey meat, construction of a modern greenhouse complex on the basis of LLC Tolmachevskii greenhouse complex, construction in Novosibirsk oblast of the second stage of the LLC Sady Giganta greenhouse complex, creation of industry for deep processing of grain, production of flour and high-protein feeds by Bagan elevator, a project for construction of an automated potato storage facility, and creation of a specialized engineering center by the Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnologies.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):342-351
pages 342-351 views

How the proximity of the sea affects development of economy and the settlement pattern in Kaliningrad oblast

Fedorov G.M., Kuznetsova T.Y., Razumovskii V.M.

Abstract

The trend of shift of an economy and population toward the sea has been studied in the world since the mid-20th century, but this problem drew the attention of Russian scientists only in the 1960s–1970s. However, the influence of the proximity to the sea to the location of production and settlement patterns at the microlevel has not yet been adequately studied. Until recently, there have been no such works on Kaliningrad oblast, the specific object of this study. This article is based on the results of a 2016 survey of the population distribution and size dynamics in Kaliningrad oblast depending on proximity to the sea. The study was carried out by economic cartography and statistical analysis. The greatest influence of the sea can be traced in the 20-km coastal zone, where development of maritime economic activity and production and an increase in population size is observed, whereas in areas far from the sea, it decreases, especially on the periphery of the oblast. Two main trends of location have been identified: concentration of the economy and settlement patterns by the seaside and in its nearest vicinity, combined with polarization and suburbanization processes. Significant differences have been revealed between the northern and southern parts of the maritime zone. Recommendations are given for planning the development of the region.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):352-362
pages 352-362 views

Social Geography

Regional social assistance systems: Why and how targeting policy is introduced

Maleva T.M., Grishina E.E., Tsatsura E.A.

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of certain amendments to regional systems of social assistance for the population since 2013. It has been found that regions more frequently introduce income and nonincome limitations on benefits provided for children and families with children than on benefits for elderly citizens. The income testing mechanism is more frequently used in child welfare measures and much less frequently in social support for elderly citizens. Positive legislative amendments aimed at reducing the inclusion- and exclusion-related errors are more often observed in the sphere of social protection of children. The social support of elderly citizens more frequently encounters with contradictory legislative amendments leading to a reduction in some errors and simultaneously to a growth in other errors. Regions use asymmetric strategies when introducing the mechanism of targeting into the social assistance schemes for children and elderly—some regions give a higher priority to the introduction of target measures supporting families, while other regions choose measures supporting the elderly. In 50% of cases, the inclusion of recipients’ incomes in the social benefit entitlement criteria becomes a tool to cut budgetary expenditures in regions, with the size of assigned benefits shrinking, which decreases the effectiveness of a supporting measure in terms of poverty relief for recipients. In one-third of cases, we can observe a contradictory policy, when the introduction of income testing does not achieve the effect of resource concentration on the poorest groups. In some cases, regions demonstrate examples of more efficient introduction of targeting policy, combining the income requirements with an increase in the sizes of payments. This experience can be used as a model of regional strategies when introducing targeted social assistance.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):363-371
pages 363-371 views

Political Geography

Regional features of the dynamics and structure of terrorist activity in 1970–2012

Suprunchuk I.P., Belozerov V.S., Polian P.M.

Abstract

The article considers the spatiotemporal approach to studying terrorist activity. An integral indicator of the intensity level of terrorist tension is proposed, and on its basis, six regions of terrorist activity in the world are singled out: Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, South African, American and European. Each of the regions is characterized by specific historical features, and they also differ in such parameters as intensity, formedness, and scale of terrorist activity. Based on a case study of one of the regions, we describe in detail a model of territorial structure of terrorist activity, consisting of three zones differing in intensity, as well as a number of other parameters. The article realizes the multiscale principle—terrorist activity is analyzed at three territorial levels: world, country (for Russia), and regional (with a case study of southern Russia).

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):372-383
pages 372-383 views

Impact of crisis in Russia–Ukraine relations on cross-border interactions in Belgorod oblast

Zayats D.V., Zotova M.V., Turov N.L., Klyuchnikov M.I.

Abstract

A case study of Belgorod and Kharkiv oblasts examines the current state of cross-border interactions between Russia and Ukraine after the 2014 crisis. Changes in socioeconomic indicators of the neighboring regions are evaluated, as well as their dynamics in response to the crisis in mutual political relations. Strengthening of border barrier functions is found to trigger curtailment of bilateral interactions and intensification of underground shadow types of professional and business activities. Analysis of the directions of cross-border population flows have revealed their asymmetry. Four principal dimensions of borderland cooperation are explored: infrastructural, institutional, economic, and social. A conclusion is drawn that in a setting of political crises, the infrastructural and institutional dimensions of cooperation are the most heavily impacted by external factors and are noticeably transformed. At the same time, economic and social interactions, though weakened, do not cease completely and retain the potential opportunity for restoring cooperation, given favorable conditions arise.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):384-394
pages 384-394 views

Geography of Resource Use Management

Agrarian nature management in Russian regions: Ecological and resource dissonance

Klyuev N.N.

Abstract

This article considers the ecological consequences of the transformation of agricultural nature management in post-Soviet Russia in a regional context. It has been revealed that approximately half the regions have changed their specialization from livestock farming to crop growing. The regional indices (1990–2014) of agricultural production and indices of resources being utilized (cultivated areas, livestock population, and fertilizer utilization) have been compared. The phenomenon of ecological and resource dissonance in agriculture, which leads to degradation of agrolandscapes, has been revealed. It has been established that the more successful the development of regional agriculture is, the higher the resource and ecological dissonance. Two groups of regions that differ by diametrically opposite ecological trajectories have been distinguished: (1) regions with accelerated agricultural simplification, where changes in regional climatic characteristics can be expected; (2) Central Chernozem regions, in which excessive utilization of agrolandscapes threatens their accelerated ecological degradation.

Regional Research of Russia. 2017;7(4):395-401
pages 395-401 views