Comparative study of single-industry towns’ industrial dynamics: case of European Far North regions of Russia

Abstract

The paper concerns the issues of development of single-industry towns located in the Northern part of Russia. The authors make focus on two territories of Russian Far North, namely Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions where 14 single-industry towns are located at moment. The study distinguishes two types of single industry towns accordingly to industry of city-forming enterprises, mining and manufacturing correspondingly. The paper is based on analysis of federal and regional statistics and investigation of indicators characterizing the social, economic and industrial development of single-industry towns in the period of the last 10-15 years. The study disclosed the fact of faster growth of production in single-industry towns belonging to mining industry despite of the accelerated depopulation in comparison with single-industry towns of manufacturing industries. This contradiction can be explained by higher level of modernization of enterprises from mining industry. The recommendation for the policy makers in priority setting in support of city-forming enterprises is formulated. The direction of the future research are indicated.