THE ROLE OF BIG CITIES IN REGIONALIZATION OF UKRAINE

Abstract

Problem Statement and Purpose . Due to the urgent regionalization problem and administrative-territorial system reform, and, accordingly, the change of the large cities status as regional centers, there is a need for the implementation of their new classification. The purpose of the article is the systematization of existing cities classifications and typology in social geography, as well as substantiation of necessity in introduction of the new cities typification, taking into consideration modern transformations of society. Objects of research are Ukrainian cities and their social and economic features. Subject of research is typification of big and average cities in the context of new typological marks, connected with the modern political and administrative and territorial reforms. Data & Methods . As materials for the article there were native and foreign scientists` publications in the area of social geography and geourbanistics about given problem used, as well as monographic teaching and methodical publications, normative and jural acts, statistics data. During the analysis of materials there were general scientific methods of research used – comparison, synthesis, generalization and classification method. Results . Different classifications and typologies of cities show just one side of the city`s essence; in order to cover the whole complex of cities features, new typology should be created. This synthetic (integral) typology of the big Ukrainian cities should take into consideration population of settlement, connection of cities functions, economical and geographical position, administrative and political value, market infrastructure; city should be the center of serving systems and of the new settling system, which is based on the historic and genetic approach. Cities development conception by the leading factors, which are influenced by regional preconditions, should be considered and should become important components of country`s regional politics.