DECENTRALIZATION PRACTICE IN THE KHERSON REGION: TERRITORIAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND LAND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS

Abstract

Problem Statement and Purpose. The dynamics of decentralization processes and problematic issues of territorial communities formation and development of Kherson region are analyzed in the article. It is determined that land use planning and efficient use of their territorial resources are one of the most important places in the formation of capable territorial communities. This is an important tool for balancing investment and development opportunities with responsible environmental management, conser­vation and community aspirations, preserving their territorial identity. Accordingly, the study purpose was to analyze the contemporary aspects of administrative and ter­ritorial structure of the Kherson region reforming and decentralization practice in the context of territorial resources provision for community development and land use.Data & Methods. The research database consists of statistical materials of open da­tabases. The fundamental principles of social geography theory, regional studies, re­gional development management, and evidence academic studies on various aspects of decentralization processes in Ukraine are the methodological basis. Academic stud­ies are complemented by the case studies of the Kherson region. During the study, the method of systematical and structural analysis, descriptive, comparative, geographi­cal, historical, statistical methods were used.Results. There were 33 communities (33,96% of the total area of the region), with an average population of 8339 people and an area of 292,9 km2 formed at the beginning of 2020 in the territory of Kherson region. There is considerable differentiation in terms of humanity and availability of territorial resources for community develop­ment. 20 territorial communities (54,1%) have a population less than 5,000. At the same time, all communities are characterized by high levels of territorial security (3,58 ha / person), and in some areas the average provision of territorial resources is 4-5 times higher than the average Ukrainian level.Case study of the Kherson region allowed to specify the following problems of territo­rial resources management: ambiguity of boundaries of territories of united territorial communities, irrational use of land outside settlements, inability to plan activities due to lack of information about land resources, state of the environment, poor state of maintenance of irrigation systems and illegal use of forest resources. It is determined that among the main factors that hinder decentralization processes in the region are: the influence of local authorities (in areas with particularly valuable development resources and other preferences), geographical factor (maritime, transport and geo­graphical location) and the territorial community capacity factor.