Theoretical and methodological approaches revealing the current challenges to the spatial development of regions in the steppe zone of Russia

Abstract

To detect the current challenges to spatial development, we attempted to identify and theoretically explain the basic notions of stages of challenges’ formation. Such concepts as “challenge,” “danger,” “treat,” and “risk” were defined. The revealed determinants were classified according to five blocks of challenges, and multi-scale levels of their formation were detected. Eighteen region-subjects of the RF steppe mesoresion were chosen as the territory of the study. The methodological approach to see challenges using assessments of the rate of increase (2019 to 2010) was offered. There are 28 principal indicators grouped in blocks: inter-regional contrasts (economic development and a state of the social sphere), the imbalance of the natural-ecological and socio-economic frameworks, a compression of developed space, the formation of seats of potential ecological catastrophes, and threat of food security. The table of the rate of increase was designed. Based on this table, we could reveal prevailing negative processes and increased risk of challenge’s emergence in every region. According to the study results, the examined challenges in the least degree emerged in the Republics of Adygei and Kalmykia. In the most degree (or more evident), they displayed themselves in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Volgogradskaya, and Chelyabinskaya oblasts.Some suggestions were stated to work out long-term steppe region development plans in the frame of economic-geographical and socio-economic research.