Depressed Rural Areas Research Articles

Regional features of the demographic processes in the Russian-Kazakh cross-border regions

Formation of new borders has transformed the adjacent territories of Russia and Kazakhstan into a new political and socio-economic space. The purpose of the work is to analyze demographic processes with the account of the territorial features of the Russian-Kazakh border area in the conditions of modern political, economic and social integrations. The use of methods of economic and statistical analysis made it possible to identify the vector and dynamics of the demographic processes in the adjacent border territories. Based on the analysis of spatial differentiation of population changes by administrative entities of the Russian-Kazakh cross–border area in the period 1989–2021, there were identified six regional groups with different character of the demographic situation — from critical to most favorable. As a result of the analysis of demographic indicators, significant differences were revealed depending on the level of the studied territories. At the macro level, on both sides of the Russian-Kazakh border, there is generally a similar demographic situation both in its orientation and in the relative values of the main demographic indicators. At the meso level, there is a multidirectional dynamics of regional indicators. The leaders of population growth are mainly resource-producing regions. The regions, in which the population has decreased most of all, are adjacent border territories, between which there is a low asymmetry of indicators and almost complete synchronicity of the ongoing processes. At the micro level, comparing cities and districts, there are significant contrasts in almost all demographic indicators. Moreover, in the Kazakh part of the border area, these differences are more significant. In general, there is the same trend throughout the border regions — the population is moving to more developed areas — from depressed rural areas to district centers and small towns, from small and medium-sized cities to large regional centers and big cities.

Товарное позиционирование административно-территориальных единиц Республики Крым

The features of economic zoning and distribution of productive forces of the Republic of Crimea are analyzed. It is shown that the existing zoning for seven economic micro-regions is outdated since their boundaries have not been revised for the last 30 years. During this period of time, there were changes in the target specialization of the regions, and the processes of divergence intensified. The development of such areas is associated with the change in their product positioning and the formation of the concept of origin place, including the transfer of images of the area to a specific product produced by it. By supporting and promoting traditional products of regional origin, it is possible to achieve the development of depressed rural areas. Thanks to this, there is also the possibility of preserving cultural, culinary heritage and traditional ecological production methods. The regional prospects for the development of traditional products within economic potential of individual specific municipalities of the Republic of Crimea are shown. The commodity positioning of administrative and territorial formations is substantiated from the point of view of production capabilities of agricultural and processing enterprises of the peninsula. The opportunities of development of traditional regional products are revealed. The promotion of a traditional product or a regional brand is usually based on its quality characteristics, but this is far from enough since it is not a guarantee for high sales. Despite broad prospects for the sale of such products in supermarkets and large stores, a balanced choice of distributors is necessary, taking into account the fact that such products are positioned as high-quality, fresh ones. It is concluded that in tourist areas it is advisable to organize shorter distribution channels that allow selling authentic goods to the manufacturer directly through specialized stores and fairs, individual entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

Ethno-cultural tourism as a promising area for inter-municipal and inter-regional cooperation in the development of rural areas in the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Chelyabinsk region

In the context of the coronavirus pandemic and the introduction of certain restrictions on movement between some countries, there is an increase in demand for domestic tourism in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, including in the Republic of Bashkortostan. One of the promising, but still underdeveloped types of domestic tourism in Bashkortostan and the neighboring Chelyabinsk region is ethnocultural tourism, the potential of which is huge in terms of opening new jobs, organising new small and medium-sized enterprises. It can be considered as a promising direction for the diversification of the rural economy and tourism business, which can dramatically increase the income of the villagers and, in general, the quality of life in rural areas. In addition, it contributes to the preservation of tangible and intangible objects of historical memory, in particular, folk crafts and crafts, customs and traditions, and skills in the production of unique national cuisine products. On the example of depressed rural areas of the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Chelyabinsk region, the author updates the feasibility of enhancing the areas of intermunicipal and interregional cooperation in the field of rural ethnocultural tourism, including through the introduction of additions and changes to federal, regional and municipal programmes for the socio-economic development of the village, small and medium-sized businesses, agricultural cooperation, tourism and the inclusion in them of proposals to support ethnic entrepreneurship and the formation of ethnotourist clusters. The organisation of national (ethno) villages in the Argayashskiy, Kunashakskiy districts of the Chelyabinsk region and in the south-north-eastern regions of Bashkortostan, inter-municipal and inter-regional ethno-tourist clusters can contribute to a more efficient use of the ethno-cultural potential of the indigenous Bashkir population living in them, the preservation of their culture, traditions and customs, activating ethno-tourism and improving the quality of life of the villagers.

Socio-Economic Factors of Poverty in Rural Areas of Almaty Region and Prospects for their Regulation

The article reveals the main factors influencing the dynamics of the severity and depth of poverty in rural areas of Almaty region, and proposals for ensuring employment and equalizing the incomes of the rural population. The introduction presents the goal of the research: analysis of the socio-economic factors of poverty in rural areas of the Almaty region and their regulation. Also presents the characteristics of the Almaty region and the relevance of the problem. The literature review provides an analysis of modern research on the problem of poverty in rural areas of the Almaty region, the latest scientific approaches to its solution in the context of urbanization, and changes in traditional business models. The methods and materials describe the characteristics of the research methodology based on the use of analysis, synthesis, anduniquel economic and socio-statistical methods. The application of economic and statistical analysis, method of relative evaluation is justified. The results of research reveal the analysis of the effectiveness and risks of development schemes for the Almaty region and the impact of factors such as urbanization, redistribution of budget financing schemes, internal migration processes on the depth and severity of poverty. The discussions substantiated the disproportions of the territories of the Almaty region and their risks of increasing the depth and severity of poverty. This requires a state policy to strengthen the transport, trade, and industrial infrastructure of rural areas. The conclusion describes recommendations, integration of depressed rural areas into the trade and production infrastructure and support of backbone enterprises.

Demographic processes and the economic activity of the population in the formation of depressed areas

Subject. This article deals with the issues of economic polarization of areas and problems of agricultural development, considering the Amur Oblast as a case study. Objectives. The article aims to highlight the peculiarities of depressed area formation in the event of crisis and reduction of public support for the development of agriculture. Methods. For the study, we used case, computational and analytical, abstract-logical, and statistical methods, and a comparative analysis. Results. The article finds that the migration outflow of the able-bodied part of the rural population and the deterioration of its demographic structure are among the most important factors in the formation of depressed rural municipal areas. Conclusions. Special sections on transformations in depressed areas should be included in the programmes of economic and social development of the Amur Oblast.

Landscape and Tourism as Tools for Local Development in Mid-Mountain Rural Areas in the Southeast of Spain (Castilla-La Mancha)

The modernization of economic activities in mountain areas is conditioned by the physical characteristics of the territory, the weight of activities related to the primary sector, infrastructure deficits, low population density, as well as the declining and ageing population. The response to this situation has involved implementing a certain degree of functional diversification. One of the aspects that has assisted in the expansion of the tertiary sector is leisure and recreational activities. Rural tourism in European mid-mountain regions has emerged as a key element, supported by local development strategies and changing preferences in demand. In the tourism industry, the resources are the raw material, in which landscape plays a leading role. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the landscape as a heritage and a tourism resource, focusing on its capacity to reactivate depressed rural areas of inland Spain (mid-mountain areas in the southeast of the autonomous region of Castilla-La Mancha). The study is based on opinions provided by tourists and uses a directed survey as an analytical tool. The results highlight the key role of landscape, especially natural landscape, in the use of such areas for tourism. This, in turn, underlines the need for a greater focus on organizing how the landscape is utilized.

Effects of Production of Woody Pellets in the Southeastern United States on the Sustainable Development Goals

Wood-based pellets are produced in the southeastern United States (SE US) and shipped to Europe for the generation of heat and power. Effects of pellet production on selected Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are evaluated using industry information, available energy consumption data, and published research findings. Challenges associated with identifying relevant SDG goals and targets for this particular bioenergy supply chain and potential deleterious impacts are also discussed. We find that production of woody pellets in the SE US and shipments to displace coal for energy in Europe generate positive effects on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15). Primary strengths of the pellet supply chain in the SE US are the provisioning of employment in depressed rural areas and the displacement of fossil fuels. Weaknesses are associated with potential impacts on air, water, and biodiversity that arise if the resource base and harvest activities are improperly managed. The SE US pellet supply chain provides an opportunity for transition to low-carbon industries and innovations while incentivizing better resource management.

THE INFORMATION MEANS TO PROMOTION GREEN TOURISM

It has been determined that rural green tourism in Ukraine has a significant share in the tourism market. However, it is not the state institutions that promote it, but the efforts of NGOs and green tourism market actors. At the same time, the development of green tourism can solve a complex problem in depressed rural areas. Green tourism in Ukraine could be used as a tool for promoting modern advertising, marketing, researching tourists' needs, and stimulating them to improve the quality of services. The purpose of the work was to develop a new approach to creating information tools for the organization, marketing, advertisings of green tourism, improving the quality of services of this type of activity of rural population and developing a software product that implements this approach. In order to achieve this goal and solve the problems of the article, it is proposed to use a counter rating system and modern cloud technologies, on the basis of which a pilot sample of the software product was developed. The assessment of the subjects of green tourism and the package of typical tourist needs will be formed in the analysis of consumer requests. The review of the scientific literature was also conducted, analyzing both the identified consumer requirements for green tourism providers and the possible range of undetermined requirements, the main groups of criteria for evaluating the activities of the subjects of green tourism market, and other indicators by which the databases were formed. The scientific novelty of the obtained results lies in the formation of an original approach to the creation of a universal software complex for green tourism, the introduction of digital technologies in the field of marketing, the advertising of which has hitherto been carried out by amateur methods. The developed pilot sample of the software complex proves that it is the most adapted for use, updating of databases, and also provides the opportunity to reduce the cost of both computer hardware, software and its maintenance. It is created as a universal tool, including, for marketing and advertising, stimulating to improve the quality of green tourism services.

Populism in Place: The Economic Geography of the Globalization Backlash

AbstractA populist backlash to globalization has ushered in nationalist governments and challenged core features of the Liberal International Order. Although startling in scope and urgency, the populist wave has been developing in declining regions of wealthy countries for some time. Trade, offshoring, and automation have steadily reduced the number of available jobs and the wages of industrial workers since at least the 1970s. The decline in manufacturing employment initiated the deterioration of social and economic conditions in affected communities, exacerbating inequalities between depressed rural areas and small cities and towns, on the one hand, and thriving cities, on the other. The global financial crisis of 2008 catalyzed these divisions, as communities already in decline suffered deeper and longer economic downturns than metropolitan areas, where superstar knowledge, technology, and service-oriented firms agglomerate. We document many of these trends across the United States and Europe, and demonstrate that populist support is strongest in communities that experienced long-term economic and social decline. Institutional differences in labor markets and electoral rules across developed democracies may explain some of the variation in populists’ electoral success. Renewed support for the Liberal International Order may require a rejuvenation of distressed communities and a reduction of stark regional inequalities.

Strategic directions for the development of consumer cooperation in rural areas (on the example of the south- and north-eastern regions of the Republic of Bashkortostan)

The revival and sustainable development of consumer cooperation in rural areas is currently one of the strategic directions of modern agricultural policy. Based on the advanced foreign and domestic experience, this is most relevant in relation to depressed rural areas, where cooperation can be a kind of driver in improving the quality of socio-economic development. Due to the development of consumer cooperatives of various forms and areas of activity, not only the problems of production, processing and marketing of agricultural products are effectively solved, but also the emergence of new non-agricultural sectors of the rural economy, its wide diversification is initiated, which contributes to the creation of new jobs, an increase in income and the quality of life of the population. Republic of Bashkortostan at the end of 2018–2019 is the leader among the subjects of the Russian Federation in terms of the number of agricultural consumer cooperatives created annually. However, the problem of their sustainability in the long term is currently acute. In addition, it is important to preserve the system of the Bashkir Union of Consumer Societies that has existed since the beginning of the 20th century and to revive it on a new market basis. Therefore, within the framework of this article, using the example of the southeastern and north-eastern regions of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the need to develop and implement, in addition to regional, municipal and intermunicipal strategies for the development of agricultural consumer cooperatives, including the second and third levels, for the organization of sustainable regional cooperative systems is actualized. and lifting depressed rural areas out of the crisis

Investment mechanism for sustainable development of agricultural production

Introduction. The lack of investment is one of the most essential problems, which slows down the progressive devel-opment of domestic agricultural production, reduces its competitiveness in the domestic and foreign markets, causes unjusti-fiably low share of the added value and raw materials of foreign trade in agri-food products. Finally, without sufficient investment, Ukrainian agricultural production is unable to enter the stage of sustainable development. However, the accu-mulation of destructive environmental and social factors, provided the use of traditional industrial technologies, may lead to catastrophic consequences in the field of agricultural production in the future. The purpose of this article is to study the institutional mechanism for ensuring the sustainable development of ag-ricultural production. Results. Granting the status of free economic zones for agricultural production to depressed rural areas of Steppe and Polissya agroclimatic zones can create a positive investment motivation for both small and large organizational forms to invest in agricultural production in the area. State programs of food aid to the poor, as well as replenishment and renewal of state material food reserves, can stimulate investment demand in the agricultural sector of the economy. The development of transport infrastructure will help reduce the cost and reduce the time of transportation of agri-food products. This will help attract investment in agriculture and industrial processing, and increase household amenities, cultural and medical services, transport links to the nearest administrative center and other similar transformations, can create favorable conditions for reviving the demographic potential of rural areas. Conclusions. Investment policy in the framework of public-private partnership is a powerful tool for restoring con-fidence in the state and the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects. In the order of priority, in our opinion, in the first place is the revival and development of social infrastructure in rural areas as well as the provision of advisory, consultative, informational and other training services to villagers. Key words: agricultural production, investments, investment mechanism, sustainable development, investment defi-cit, State Land Bank.

К ВОПРОСУ О ДЕПРЕССИВНОСТИ СЕЛЬСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ

Цель: в статье прорабатывается вопрос определения депрессивности сельских территорий и их причин. Рассматриваются экономические задачи, позволяющие сформировать потенциал территории к развитию выраженной её инвестиционной привлекательности, эффективности производства, эффективности бюджетных расходов местного бюджета и его устойчивости. Обсуждение: для решения указанной проблемы предлагается выделить экономические, экологические, институциональные и социальные факторы, влияющие на развитие села. Наличие нерешенных проблем в этой области нивелирует любые успехи по выводу территории из депрессии. Результаты: авторами был проведен анализ депрессивности сельской территории и сформирована программа стратегического развития, которая основана на стратегическом анализе территории, выявленных проблемах, возможностях, угрозах и перспективах.

АНАЛИЗ УСАДЕБНЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ «ПУШКИНСКОГО КОЛЬЦА»

The problem of preserving estates has existed in Russia since the abolition of serfdom and is still relevant today. Currently, the high rate of disappearance of empty monuments and for the most part inadequate use of the remaining territories requires a theoretical understanding of the preservation of estates. The Russian estate is a unique phenomenon that has played a huge role in the development of landscape art. The article considers the problems of preserving the estates included in the Pushkin ring: Chuvakino, Georgians, Bernovo, Malinniki, Kurovo-Pokrovskoye, Pavlovskoye. Many of the estates of the Pushkin ring considered in the article, which were once cultural and economic centers, are now in a neglected or even dilapidated state. But they could regain their former status and become growth points for depressed rural areas. Estates are historical and cultural values. They should be protected and used efficiently. The noble estate is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Russia. It has been a form of spatial organization of life activity for a long period of the country's development, and at present it is assigned the role of a Keeper of the main part of the national cultural experience.

Populism in Place: The Economic Geography of the Globalization Backlash

A populist backlash to globalization has ushered in nationalist governments and challenged core features of the liberal international order. Although startling in scope and urgency, the populist wave has been developing in declining regions of wealthy countries for some time. Trade, offshoring, and automation have steadily reduced the jobs and wages of industrial workers since at least the 1970s. The decline in manufacturing employment initiated the deterioration of social and economic conditions in affected communities, exacerbating inequalities between depressed rural areas and small cities and towns, on the one hand, and thriving cities, on the other. The global financial crisis of 2008 catalyzed these divisions as communities already in decline suffered deeper and longer economic downturns than metropolitan areas where superstar knowledge, technology, and service-oriented firms agglomerate. We document many of these trends across the US and Europe, and demonstrate that populist support is strongest in communities that experienced long-term economic and social decline. Institutional differences in labor markets and electoral rules across developed democracies may explain some of the variation in populists’ electoral success. Renewed support for the liberal international order may require a rejuvenation of distressed communities and a reduction of stark regional inequalities.

Efficient biofuel production from traditional maize under low input

Traditional crop varieties are adapted to low inputs of fertilizers, pesticides, and water. In addition, biofuel from local vegetal biomass stimulates the economy in depressed rural areas. Biofuels also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we tested the suitability of traditional maize varieties as solid biofuel. We cultivated traditional maize varieties without pesticides and irrigation. Four varieties were cropped in two locations, with two fertilization levels, and harvested at three different dates. For each trait, we measured the heating value, the ash content, and the elemental composition. Results show that plants harvested at physiological maturity, 150 days after sowing, have about 10 % more biomass and 20–30 % less ash, N, K, and Cl than plants harvested 115 days after sowing. Moreover, reducing standard N input by 40 % did not reduce the biomass yield. Calculations show that traditional maize varieties can produce an energy of 15–23 · 104 MJ/ha. These findings demonstrate that traditional maize cultivation can be optimized to increase the efficiency of biomass production and to reduce the environmental impact.

A model for community health service development in depressed rural areas in China

BackgroundTo introduce a model of community health service organization (as implemented in urban areas) to less developed rural areas in China and evaluate the impact of this model on health care utilization.MethodsThe intervention involved developing leadership at county level, training rural health practitioners, providing clinical management guidelines and standards, encouraging clinic improvements and providing access to subsidies for public health work. We chose 7 townships and 49 administrative villages in Chongyi County as the intervention sites; 3 townships and 9 administrative villages in Luxi County as the comparison sites. Officers from county health bureaus and postgraduates from School of Public Health, Nanchang University visited each township hospital and village clinic in field together and made observations and interviewed clinic staff.ResultsThere was little change in health facilities or workforce in the two areas. However, there was an increase in the use of public health services at township and village level in the intervention sites in Chongyi. In these, the proportion of clinics which had developed a child health (under the age of 3) management system, maternal postpartum visit and chronic disease management increased from 53%, 51% and 47% to 78%, 73%, and 71% respectively. There was no significant change in the comparison sites.ConclusionsThe trial demonstrated that it was feasible to implement a model of community health service delivery that was adapted to depressed rural areas because it required little organizational change, additional funding or personnel. The model had a positive impact on the provision of public health programs, a finding which has implications for efforts to improve access to primary health care in rural China.

China’s New Cooperative Medical Scheme For Rural Residents: Popularity Of Broad Coverage Poses Challenges For Costs

One of the components in China's massive health reform effort is the New Cooperative Medical Scheme, which is intended to provide affordable health insurance, especially to the rural poor. This program offers three options with different benefits and costs to county health officials, who select one of the options to make available to local residents. Data were obtained from the New Cooperative Medical Scheme survey conducted by the Chinese Ministry of Health and the World Bank in 2005, which covered more than 47,000 people living in twenty-seven counties, to determine participation levels, identify which option was most attractive, and characterize the impact that each option had on care and costs. Our study found that those participants with the most limited coverage might have delayed seeking care, while the broadest coverage--the "Cadillac option"--was the most popular. Yet if this generous package were to be broadly offered, health costs would become unsustainable. Therefore, the Chinese government must consider which costs to cover for people in economically depressed rural areas.

Priority investment irrigation methodology in depressed rural areas

The infrastructure for small irrigation systems demands costly investment which may become increased as many social and technical aspects related to the concerns of regions susceptible to investment remain unknown. The lack of both information and a social network supporting planning and design tasks constitute factors affecting many irrigation projects, consigning them to failure. Some indicators were prepared for constructing an irrigation system in the north of the Cauca department in Colombia which, in turn, led to determining investment priorities and facilitated decision-making. The indicators guaranteed that the construction would benefit the greatest number of users, assuring wider irrigation coverage. The project lasted forty-two months; the basic irrigation system was designed and constructed during this time, alternating direct reception via surface water sources and digging wells to use groundwater. Investment costs were lower than estimated FAO reference ones.

Value of visual inspection (assisted with iodine and acetic acid test) combined with colposcope examination diagnose in the early screening of cervical cancer

Objective To evaluate value of visual inspection (assisted with iodine and acetic acid test) combined with colposcope examination diagnose in the early screening of cervical cancer. Methods Form June 2009 to Octoher 2009, there were 2107 women accepting the early screening of the cervical cancer by visual inspection (assisted with iodine and acetic acid test) combined with colposcope examination in our hospital.Not normal in 97 women were performed colposcope examination , biopsies were perfomed on 60 women.Pathologic examination of biopsy under colposeopy was assumed as gold standard.Results The pathologic examination shown that 37(61.67%) with acute or chromic infections, 16(26.67%) with cervical intraepithelial neopasia(CIN), of with 10(16.67%)cases of CIN Ⅰ, 2(3.33%)of CIN Ⅱ , 4(6.67%)of CIN Ⅲ, 1(1.67%) case with cervical squamous intraspithelial cancer, 6(10%) with HPV infections.The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negation predictive value of solposcopy in evaluation of CIN Ⅱ -CIN Ⅲ and cervical cancer were 57.14%, 88. 68%, 40.00% 、 94.00%. Conlusions The occurrence of CIN and the early stage uterus neck cancar is increasing recently and visual inspection (assisted with iodine and acetic acid test) combined with biopsy under colposcopy are recommended to be as routine screening to the dentify precancerous lesions.It has important value to the control uterus neck cancer in depressed rural areas. Key words: Cervical cancer; Colposcope examination; Visual inspection; Screening

Risk Perception, Safety Behaviour, Employment Precarity and Community Attachment: The Case of Newfoundland and Labrador Fibreglass Boatbuilding Workers

AbstractFibreglass boat-building and repair plays an important economic and cultural role in Newfoundland and Labrador, and in many cases is one of the few viable businesses in economically depressed rural areas. However, the process of constructing and repairing fibreglass vessels requires the use of styrene, a known neurotoxin, excessive exposure to which can have negative impacts on physical and mental health. Based on the concerns of provincial health and safety regulators who have suggested that workers are not using their personal protective equipment, citing a lack of perceived health risk concerning styrene exposure, the purpose of this study was to assess the attitudinal, cognitive, organisational and economic factors that may have an impact on perceptions of risk and safety behaviours. Given that this industry has never been the subject of previous occupational safety and health inquiry into employee attitudes and behaviour, the research objectives were quite fundamental. Accordingly, an explora...