The geoeconomic factor in shaping the spatial pattern of St. Petersburg’s coastal area

Abstract

The influence of geoeconomic factors in the spatial pattern of St. Petersburg’s coastal area is analyzed in this paper on a global level taking into account the integration of St. Petersburg and its surroundings into global value-added chains and transportation and logistic schemes; on a macroregional level taking into account the development of the leading port and industrial complexes in the Baltic Sea and the expansion of pipeline projects; an on a local level taking into account the emergence of cross-border clusters, etc. With allowance for the spatial parameters, the boundaries of St. Petersburg’s coastal area are determined; they include the city of St. Petersburg, as well as some municipal districts of Leningrad, Novgorod, and Pskov oblasts, and the Republic of Karelia, in total 37 administrative units with a population of about 7.5 mln people and an area of 110500 km2. A typology is proposed, and geoeconomic elements (transport hubs, complexes, areas) are determined taking into account their spatial configuration, location, and scale of activity. Our case of St. Petersburg’s coastal area describes and analyzes the geoeconomic elements located in the seaside (up to 50 km) and coastal zone (from 50 to 200 km). A particular focus is elements carrying the main geoeconomic burden—seaports. Emerging geoeconomic elements are determined: contact border areas with Finland, Latvia, and Estonia. At the same time, the absence of joint industrial clusters is noted. St. Petersburg’s development prospects as a global city and its impact on the economy of the studied coastal area are shown. The results of the study are visualized with one of the geoinformational products.