The sandwich of Russian space: How different spaces differentiate themes in regional science

Abstract

AbstractThe paper shows the inseparable connection between the topics of the main centres of Russian regional science and the properties of the space that they are studying. The diversity of the thematic structure of research centres is derived from differences in economic geographical and geopolitical position, sectoral structure of the economy, age of economic development of the studied areas of the Russian space. However, the most important factor differentiating Russian space is the density of economic activity, which determines the level of development of the territory. Within the Russian space, significant undeveloped territories of the North, the Arctic, Siberia, and the Far East are of particular interest, in which extensive buffer zones are distinguished between the main settlement zone and low‐density periphery. They constitute the essential specificity of the Russian space. Another feature is the presence of colossal “ownerless” spaces that are outside the influence of any nearby major centre and therefore are forced to focus on the federal capital, Moscow.