Rural Settlements Research Articles

Research on Rural Social Governance Approach under the Threshold of Spatial Theory

Abstract This study employs spatial theory to investigate rural social governance, revealing how it influences the spatial layout of rural settlements. By utilizing GIS spatial analysis and spatial autocorrelation methods, we systematically categorize and organize rural territorial spaces, developing an optimal regional planning system for rural areas. Through spatial econometric analysis, we examine selected villages’ comprehensive governance levels and ecological governance efficiency. Our evaluation focuses on five key areas: economic development, public services, social order, environmental livability, and overall governance effectiveness. Findings indicate a significant annual growth in the villages’ overall development level by 14.6%, with rural governance effectiveness improving from 0.819 to 0.859 between 2012 and now. Moreover, disparities in governance effectiveness within these areas are narrowing. This research broadens the scope of rural governance studies through a spatial lens, offering valuable insights and benchmarks for future inquiries.

Oikonymy of the Livvik Karelians

The article investigates the settlement names in Southern (Olonets) Karelia, where the Livvik dialect of the Karelian language has been spoken for centuries. The study highlights that, in the early stages of settlement by Livvik Karelians, the development of villages was shaped by the region’s physical geography and the population’s way of life. Due to the abundance of lakes and rivers in Southern Karelia, early villages were mostly established along these water bodies. However, from the 18th century onwards, settlements began to develop on higher ground, leading to the formation of “settlement” type villages. The article focuses on the types of rural settlements and the structure of their names. The most common single-component names include oikonyms with the -l formant, typically derived from personal names. Less common are deanthroponymic patterns without a formant, and those with the formants -(i)ne, -sto, or the Russian -ovo and -shchina. Among other oikonyms, those based on geographical terms such as pogostu ‘village with a church,’ kylä and hieru ‘village’ are particularly prevalent. The study also identifies terms for smaller settlements and farmsteads, such as kodi, kondu, perti, and taloi, along with terms borrowed from Russian, like myza and khutor. The author examines why certain types of oikonyms are more common, the timeline of their adoption into the local toponymy, and the inclusion of reconstructed terms like moiživo and tula, which likely referred to small homesteads. The author concludes that the formation of the settlement system in Southern Karelia peaked in the early 20th century but began to decline with collectivisation and subsequent repressions, leading to the abandonment of many villages in the 1960s and 1970s.

Spatial differentiation and interaction of rural settlements’ morphology and functions in counties: The case of Shanxian County, Southwest Shandong

Spatial differentiation and interaction of rural settlements’ morphology and functions in counties: The case of Shanxian County, Southwest Shandong

Drivers of urban biodiversity in Mexico and joint risks from future urban expansion, climate change, and urban heat island effect.

Urbanization is a phenomenon where humans concentrate in high densities and consume more per capita energy than in rural areas, imposing high pressures on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Although Mexico is recognized as a megadiverse country and there is an understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes underlying this high diversity, only some efforts have been devoted to understanding how urban biodiversity has been shaped. Here, we compiled a set of socioeconomic and ecological variables to explore macroecological patterns in urban biodiversity across Mexican municipalities. Specifically, we tested the species-area relationships (SAR) between rural and urban areas across municipalities and evaluated the relative role of different socioeconomic and ecological variables driving urban species richness for terrestrial vertebrates. Finally, we explored the exposure of Mexican municipalities to future urban expansion, the urban heat island (UHI) effect, and climate change. Urban and rural settlements show differences in the shape of SAR models. We found that urban area, size of the network of urban protected areas, the number of ecoregions, and GDP explained the urban total species richness relatively well. Mexican cities in the northeast region may be at a higher risk than others. Based on our analyses, policymakers should identify priority urban conservation sites in cities with high species richness and low urbanization development. These actions would alleviate future urban biodiversity loss in these growing cities.

Solar-Powered LVDC Nano-Grid with Smart FPGA-based Residential Power Switching Algorithm

A Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) nano-grid opens new potentials for the electrification of isolated rural settlements, urban residential structures, and the existing grid infrastructure. This study introduces and examines the Power-Sharing Control (PSC) of a solar Photovoltaic (PV) system connected to a low-voltage DC nano-grid. Effective control and power management between the components of a planned LVDC nano-grid system are presented, as is the use of a PSC algorithm implemented on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). General simulation investigations are tested to analyse the system’s performance using the recommended controller. The proposed LVDC nano-grid idea is developed, and its hardware is assessed. The results of the hardware under different settings are shown and discussed. The proposed nano-grid model is implemented in matrix laboratory (MATLAB)-Simulink and has an FPGA-based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller and a central PSC algorithm; simulation studies are performed, and results are achieved. 100 <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">W</i> nano-grid hardware is set up and tested. Quantitative cost-benefit analyses of the LVDC nano-grid of the proposed controller are given.

Опыт по развитию территории и использованию земельных ресурсов в китайской северо-восточной провинции Цзилинь

A review of the experience of using land resources in the Chinese northeastern province of Jilin as part of the implementation of projects to develop the territory of the old industrial base in northeastern China shows that the PRC government pays special attention to the strategically important border area. The development of the territory in Jilin Province is carried out in accordance with the updated regional coordinated development strategy adopted in 2012 in the PRC, the development strategy of the main functional regions, the new urbanization strategy and the rural revitalization strategy. The tasks of coordinating the growth of urban areas and protecting cultivated lands come to the forefront. The Chinese authorities associate the further implementation of the policy of “openness” with Jilin Province in the northeast direction. The efficient use of land resources in the province is regulated by a whole complex of legal and regulatory frameworks. Jilin puts forward clear goals for the construction of regional infrastructure focused on protecting the environment, optimizing rural settlements, promoting urbanization, modernizing transport and logistics routes, and protecting key energy and water resources. Since 2021, the main projects of spatial transformations have been implemented in the province: the project of spatial placement and construction of industrial facilities “one base – six pairs” and the project of an integrated structure for the protection and spatial development of the territory of the province “one circle, two barriers, three zones, four axes.”

Turizam u funkciji održivog ruralnog razvoja na prostoru Novog Pazara

In insufficiently developed areas of Serbia, natural and anthropogenic tourist values are of great importance for sustainable rural development. In this study, a survey was conducted using the method of selecting respondents, where the analysis of economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects took into consideration the current situation, with the goal of clearly defining all the strengths and weaknesses of rural settlements in Novi Pazar. The average values of related issues were used to calculate the value of the indicators, while the Sustainable Rural Development Index (SRDI) was determined by the average values of all indicators. The final outcome of the SRDI is 0.94, indicating that the area holds the potential to develop sustainable tourism. The results of the research can be used to plan the possibilities for further development of rural settlements in the researched area in order to minimize weaknesses and threats and maximize strengths and opportunities with the help of tourism based on sustainable development.

DEVELOPMENT STATUS of RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS in THE SOUTH AEGEAN REGION in THE CONTEXT of RURAL DEVELOPMENT

In many countries today, rural development has become a priority for governments. Rural development refers to a process that envisages the development of societies not only economically but also socially and culturally. Rural areas often harbor a population that does not have sufficient income, has limited basic infrastructure facilities and opportunities, is generally engaged in agriculture or agriculture-based work as an economic activity, and has limited opportunities in education and health services. Despite all the investments and efforts made since 1923 for the development of rural communities, the large number and scattered nature of rural settlements, the difficulties experienced in transportation to these areas, and the wrong and inadequate decisions taken for these areas have led to the failure to reach the desired level for the development of these areas as a whole in Turkey, which is in the process of development.&#x0D; Within the scope of this study, the current level of rural development in all rural settlements in the South Aegean Region, which is among the developed regions of Turkey, and what local people see as the most important problem in the lack of rural development have been investigated. This quantitative research, which is specific to the South Aegean Region and covers all rural settlements, is important in that it emphasizes the social dimension of rural development and makes a unique contribution to subsequent rural development-oriented studies.

ПРОБЛЕМЫ ДОСТУПНОСТИ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКОЙ ПОМОЩИ СЕЛЬСКИМ ЖИТЕЛЯМ РЕСПУБЛИКИ СЕВЕРНАЯ ОСЕТИЯ – АЛАНИЯ

One of the main problems in medical and drug care for residents of remote areas are difficulties in obtaining the necessary medicines (LP), the lack of pharmacies and medical organizations. In this regard, the population is forced to go to neighboring settlements, which is associated with additional costs, and the purchase of LP becomes a very expensive process. Another problem is the limited range of the range of medicines and other pharmacy products in remote areas, associated either with insufficient demand or lack of economic feasibility in their supply to distributors. The consequence of this is limited access to the necessary drugs, which can significantly affect the condition of patients. In this study, the problems related to the availability of pharmaceutical care for rural residents of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania were considered. The factors limiting access to the necessary medicines and medical services for the population of remote areas of the republic are analyzed. In the course of the study, it was found that there are no pharmacy organizations in the territory of the settlements of the Irafsky district at all, and the problem of drug provision for these settlements is solved through paramedic-obstetric centers (FAP) that have a license for pharmaceutical activity. However, the availability of medicines for FAPs does not meet the tasks assigned to them. There is a variation in the number of names of medicines sold by medical professionals, and their number is 32.9-87.5% of the list of medicines recommended for FAPs by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation-Alania. The available range of medicines does not correspond to the structure of the most common diseases of residents of rural settlements. In addition, a third of the district's population is deprived of pharmaceutical assistance, since only 9 out of 14 rural settlements have a pharmaceutical license. The study is important for the development of a policy aimed at increasing the availability of pharmaceutical care in the region and ensuring equal healthcare opportunities for all residents of the republic

Overview of publications on green roof: socio-educational possibilities and community strengthening

Goal. Identify and present an overview of publications on green roofs, as well as verify and analyze their use in buildings of social interest and in association with socio-educational processes and community strengthening. Methodology. Integrative review, based on “Periódicos Capes, Scielo e Ebsco”, using “green roof”, “living roof” and “green roof” as descriptors, from 2012 to March/2023. Originality/relevance. It sought to update what has been published about green roofs and recognize possibilities of producing new knowledge on the subject, in a collaborative way, directly involving different social actors. Results. A total of 62 publications were analyzed, most by researchers in civil engineering, architecture, urbanism and environmental sciences, developed mainly through experimental field research. The topics were varied, with emphasis on studies on rainwater management, thermal performance, public policies, building structure, technical and economic feasibility. Regarding the use of green roofs in buildings of social interest, teaching institutions, social spaces, housing of social interest and rural settlements were cited, and in the latter, the research encouraged the integration of knowledge through the appropriation of techniques by residents. Theoretical/methodological contributions. The panorama presented contributes to the identification of scientific, theoretical and methodological gaps on the subject, and can help and stimulate new studies. Social and environmental contributions. It highlights the importance of locally-based research, especially in the constructed urban setting, aimed at sustainability, community strengthening and the exercise of citizenship.

Vernacular Architecture of a Rural Magar Settlement of Nepal: The Case of Taka, Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality, East Rukum

The vernacular settlement of the Magar community in the Taka village of East Rukum are still lively, and represent the society, cultural and history of the place, which reflects the sustainable living pattern of a rural community. This study of Taka village clearly defines the geography, settlement pattern, community groups, settlement cluster, social structure, construction of dwelling and rituals. It further identifies the dwelling types and construction technology on the basis of three features: i. representation of each community, ii. Representation of each locality, and iii. Representation of variation in house form. The settlement pattern and dwelling form in a way represent the characteristics of social structure and life style in the sharing of spaces of the dwelling environment. The dwelling form, building materials and construction technology blends with the terrain profile and climate creating a harmonious settlement pattern with nature and society. There is also community awareness on the conservation of Taka rural settlement heritage which is the positive sign on maintaining the identity of the community and place.

Public Administration in a Context of Engaging Local Communities for Solar Energy Spreading: Analysis of Innovative Models and Challenges for Ukraine

The article examines the opportunities and challenges related to the implementation of innovative solar energy models in urban and rural (settlement) territorial communities. It is identified that in urban communities, where there is high competition for space, solar energy opens up new possibilities for sustainable development through the integration of solar panels on the roofs of buildings, in office centers, and other urban structures, contributing to the reduction of dependence on traditional energy sources and decreasing carbon emissions. Innovative solutions, such as solar roads and facades generating energy, demonstrate significant potential for further integration into urbanized environments. At the same time, rural (settlement) areas face their own set of challenges and opportunities in using solar energy, where the lack of access to centralized energy supply makes it an ideal solution for providing local communities with electricity. Solar systems can be installed on individual houses, in schools, and hospitals, not only providing them with electricity but also contributing to social and economic development. Particularly, in the context of ensuring safety and improving the comfort level of local residents, the use of autonomous street lighting systems in remote areas, capable of operating without connection to the electrical grid due to being fully powered by solar energy, which is unlimited in supply and harmless to the natural environment, deserves special attention. Moreover, the agricultural sector can also reap significant benefits from the development of solar energy by using photovoltaic systems for irrigation, ventilation, and other needs of farming operations. At the same time, the transition to solar energy is accompanied by certain challenges, including integration into existing power grids, energy storage, regulatory and financial barriers, etc. However, progress in battery technology development, improvements in the political and economic climate, and increasing public support are contributing to the industry’s development. The article analyzes how solar energy can transform urban and rural landscapes, creating new business models and promoting sustainable and economically viable futures. A series of successful solar energy use cases that demonstrate its potential for urban and rural (settlement) areas are considered. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating solar energy into the overall energy system and the need to focus joint efforts of public authorities, business structures, and civil society to overcome existing challenges. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive analysis and synthesis of contemporary cutting-edge approaches to the implementation of projects in the field of solar energy, which can ensure efficient use of solar energy under the conditions of various types of territorial communities, which is extremely relevant under the conditions of post-war recovery and development.

Русь и Орда: возможности реконструкции экономических процессов методами археозоологии

Our analysis of archaeozoological collections found on archaeological sites allowed to build a complex picture of the meat diet of medieval settlements in Eastern Europe and to reconstruct the structure of meat supply in Eastern European towns and villages in forest, forest-steppe and steppe areas, as well as to determine the similarities and differences in this structure across different landscapes and cultural zones. We found that the dominant meat in the diet of the medieval population in all studied landscapes, regardless of settlement form was beef. For Rus’ towns, which existed for several centuries, we identified the tendency to increase the share of beef in the meat diet from the early (12th century) to the latest (16th century and later) periods. Beef also dominated the meat consumption of townspeople in the Golden Horde in the 13th–14th centuries.&#x0D; The study shows that cattle were raised in rural settlements and regularly delivered to the towns for hides and meat. Nomadic cattle, such as sheep and horses were delivered to the towns and slaughtered episodically to produce hides. In the artisanal quarters of the towns, our archaeozoological research registered accumulations of domestic ungulate bones with a specific taxonomic and anatomical set – the remains of large-scale slaughter of nomadic and rural livestock. These quarters also did the primary processing of hides – our study found clear markers of processing industries in archaeozoological collections. The study of isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in more than 150 bone samples of domestic ungulates of forest and steppe areas proved the feasibility of using 13C isotope tags to capture the status of domestic ungulates: local and outsider; 15N isotope signals describe the contribution of farmed fodder to the diet of specific animals. We managed to discover the movement of nomadic steppe cattle from the arid zone for slaughtering and hides to the forest-steppe Bolgar town, and to record the fact of cattle exchange between steppe and forest territories, as well as between different regions of medieval Rus’.

ПРОБЛЕМА ПОВЫШЕНИЯ КАЧЕСТВА И УРОВНЯ ЖИЗНИ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ СЕЛЬСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ ПРИ УСТОЙЧИВОМ СОЦИАЛЬНО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО РАЗВИТИИ

The article examines the issues of improving the quality and standard of living of the population of rural Russia. The relevance of this problem is associated with a large number of negative phenomena in rural settlements in terms of socio-economic shortcomings over a long period of ongoing transformations. This is especially important because there is a significant differentiation in the social plan of the rural population in terms of meeting material and other needs. The article pays attention to the fact that the solution of these imbalances, as well as the degree to which the rural population is satisfied with their working conditions and well-being, requires radical changes from public authorities at the legislative and executive levels. It analyzes overdue wage arrears, the number of jobs being replaced, the average real length of time worked by employees, the admission and retirement of employees, the distribution of the number of retired employees by various types of retirements, the number of employees who are employed part-time at the enterprise. The study found that the degree of gasification of rural areas, the network of secondary schools, district hospitals, outpatient clinics, as well as FAP, sports complexes and playgrounds have significantly increased. The analysis confirms the need for further in-depth and comprehensive solutions to the accumulated problems through the implementation of strategic goals and objectives to improve and improve the standard and quality of life of the population in rural areas. The article suggests the main directions for improving the welfare of the population in rural areas, as well as their satisfaction with social policy. To do this, it is necessary to achieve sustainable economic development of rural areas, which will create conditions for increasing the income level of the population in rural areas, and as a result of improving the level and quality of life of the population in rural areas.

Community Resilience and Innovation in Livelihood Strategies: Exploring the Drivers of Change in Mountain Agriculture in Lotkuh Valley, Pakistan

Mountain agriculture is the linchpin of the economy in Pakistan's Hindu Kush Karakoram and Himalaya mountain regions. Currently, mountain agriculture is in a state of transition, experiencing rapid changes and innovation due to physical and anthropogenic drivers, resulting in far-reaching consequences on the livelihood sustainability and food security of the local people. This study explores the multifaceted drivers of agricultural transformation in the Eastern Hindu Kush region, specifically in Lotkuh Valley, Pakistan, focusing on the intricate relationship between resilience-building measures and the adoption of innovative agricultural practices. For this purpose, data were explored from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected using stratified sampling techniques during extensive field surveys conducted in the study area from 2017 to 2019. Remotely sensed data from 1990 to 2019 were obtained from the USGS site. Secondary data were acquired from the Gazetteer of Chitral 1928, Census Report 1961-2017, and Rural Settlement Report 1988. The collected data have been analyzed through descriptive analysis and advanced geospatial techniques. The findings reveal that vivid changes and transformations have occurred in mountain agriculture. These transformations include land use/cover changes, agricultural land holdings, cropping patterns, livestock populations, arboriculture, etc. From the findings of this study, it is inferred that innovation in mountain agriculture entails a variety of opportunities and has increased agricultural production, resulting in a positive impact on the economy, food security, and livelihood sustainability. This study provides nuanced knowledge and insights for policymakers, mountain agriculturists, and practitioners to effectively develop sophisticated strategies for achieving the ambitious goal of zero hunger and poverty eradication.

PEASANT SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN CENTRAL ROMAN IBERIA: A NETWORK ANALYSIS OF MATERIAL ASSEMBLAGES

In recent decades, preventive excavations around the city of Madrid (Spain) have provided us with a unique opportunity to study rural non-elite peasant settlements in the Roman period. Based on the systematic analysis of the archaeological record of nine of these sites and the use of tools derived from network science, this work characterises the consumption patterns of these communities. By focusing on the differences between the patterns of each of the settlements, this work offers new data for interpreting the settlement patterns and how peasant communities exploited the territory in Roman times. The results obtained offer a series of differences between the consumption patterns that are compatible with a ‘distributed habitation’ type of landscape exploitation, in which households are distributed in the landscape in different settlements that exploit the territory more efficiently.

MECHANISMS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRITOURISM IN TURKESTAN REGION

The development of agrotourism in the Turkestan region is important for the development of not only the natural resources of rural areas, but also culture, national cuisine, history and traditions of the Kazakh people. This industry belongs to a potential topic that determines the directions of the future development of domestic tourism and agriculture. Agrotourism is a type of tourism that can be organized in rural areas, which in recent years, according to statistics, is in great demand among consumers. This sector is aimed at the economic growth of rural settlements, the preservation of ecosystems and cultural values, the development of territories, as well as providing solutions to issues such as infrastructure, unemployment in rural areas. Definitely, it will be useful to use the experience of European countries in the field of agrotourism for some regions of the Turkestan region. In this regard, the Turkestan region, one of the most developed regions of the country's agriculture, was chosen as the object of study of the scientific article. The goal - is to comprehensively identify the factors of socio-economic potential and propensity of the Turkestan region to agrotourism. Research results - it was found that there are enough resources for the development of agrotourism in this area; it was noted that financial assistance to support some areas of agrotourism is sufficient from local government agencies; recommendations were analyzed and given on which areas have the highest opportunities for the development of agrotourism; the features of agrotourism as a successful tourist destination of agricultural entrepreneurship in general are shown. Conclusions - due to the fact that the agro-tourism resources of the Turkestan region differ from other regions, the task of its professional development arises, for example, in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, the first mechanisms for the development of agro-tourism have been formed. Consider this, a detailed analysis of the resources of the agro-tourism potential of the region was carried out in the scientific work.

Социально-культурное положение северной деревни в системе сельского расселения в регионах Европейского Севера России (1950–1980-е годы)

The paper provides a comparative analysis of rural settlement systems in the regions of the European North of Russia and their impact on the socio-cultural development of the northern village during the period of the so-called “policy of unpromising villages”.

The educational complex of Chernivtsi Oblast: dynamics and current state

The article analyzes the dynamics of the main indicators of the educational complex of Chernivtsi Oblast for the years 1995 to 2022. The coefficients of localization and territorial concentration of educational institutions in the territorial communities (hromadas) of the region are calculated, on their basis the level of development of the educational complex and its territorial differences are determined. Attention is drawn to the problematic aspects of the educational sector in Chernivtsi Oblast and ways of solving them are proposed. Education is one of the most important spheres of human life and plays a significant role in shaping social potential. The development of the economy, science, culture, and thus the overall competitiveness of the region largely depends on it. To ensure high-quality and accessible education, a necessary condition is the development of a network of institutions and a high level of their material and technical support. It is important not only to provide everyone with access to quality education, but also to monitor the dynamics of educational processes and make appropriate adjustments in a timely manner. The study of the educational complex of Chernivtsi Oblast made it possible to identify its strengths and weaknesses, disparities in spatial organization, and development prospects. During the period from 1995 to 2022, there were noticeable changes in the educational complex of the region. Positive trends are observed in the field of preschool education, namely: an increase in the number of institutions, places and children in them, as well as a significant increase in the level of coverage of children by preschool education institutions. At the same time, there was a noticeable reduction in the network of general secondary education institutions, a decrease in the number of teachers and students in them. Similar trends can be observed in vocational and higher education. Today, the educational complex of Chernivtsi Oblast is represented by a wide range of institutions. However, significant differences in its development level can be observed across the hromadas of the region. The most developed network of educational institutions is characteristic of Chernivtsi urban hromada. Vyzhnytsia, Hlyboka, Kitsman, Novodnistrovsk, Storozhynets, and Khotyn hromadas are characterized by a high level of development. Among the outsiders are Velykyi Kuchuriv, Krasnoilsk, Toporivtsi, Berehomet, Petrivtsi, Vashkivtsi, Kamianka, and Chudei hromadas. In addition, there are significant differences in the development of the educational complex between urban and rural settlements. The educational complex of Chernivtsi Oblast has a number of problems that need to be addressed. The main efforts should be directed at increasing funding for educational institutions, providing them with modern technical equipment, upgrading teachers' skills, ensuring decent salaries and raising the prestige of teaching. It is important to introduce new forms and methods of training and actively involve young specialists. It is also appropriate to develop cooperation with other countries. Keywords: social infrastructure, educational complex, education, educational institutions, Chernivtsi Oblast.

TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENT AND HOUSING COMPLEX AS AN OBJECT OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE PEOPLES OF RUSSIA

One of the significant objects in the historical and cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia is the settlement and housing complex, historically formed and resulting from the influence of physical and geographical conditions, ethnic traditions, socio-cultural interaction. Currently, the problem of its preservation, study, and use as a tourist object is urgent. The article examines the key problems in this area; it pays attention to the formation of legislation regulating preservation of cultural objects, as well as their importance in forming youth patriotism.&#x0D; &#x0D; The purpose of the research is to study the role of a traditional settlement and housing complex in ethnic culture, the place of rural settlements in preserving national languages and traditions of peoples, development of domestic tourism in the Russian Federation.&#x0D; &#x0D; Materials and methods. The research used the methods of historical science: comparative-historical, problem-chronological, historical-genetic ones. From the traditional methods of ethnography, the methods of field observation and survey were used. Also, general scientific methods were used in the framework of the study: the descriptive-narrative one, analysis, generalization ones. The article is based on regulatory and legal sources, materials of Internet publications, the results of the All-Russian Population censuses, information collected by the authors during field expedition ethnographic surveys.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results. The role of a settlement and housing complex in ethnic culture was studied, its tourist potential was determined. The problem of preserving traditional settlements, dwellings and outbuildings is currently relevant for many peoples, in connection with which a number of state programs and support measures have been developed to address this issue. A settlement and housing complex is of great interest not only to researchers, but also to tourists, so its inclusion in their routes has become an effective way to attract public attention to preserving traditional buildings. The practice of constructing ethnoparks, ethno-villages, ethnographic museums in the open air with a complex of housing structures and outbuildings has become very relevant at present time. No doubt that their creation requires extensive involvement of accumulated ethnographic materials. Ethnic culture and national languages are mostly preserved in rural areas, which largely determines the need to develop serious support measures by the state in the field of protecting villages with a view to their further large-scale functioning in our country.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusions. The use of various sources made it possible to achieve the goal of the study. Preserving the traditional settlement and housing complex of villages is extremely significant, since it is in them that the languages and traditions of peoples are still transmitted from generation to generation, ethnic characteristics are reproduced. Each object of cultural heritage contains a certain layer of information, which is an effective bond of the society and the state, which is of great importance in forming a sense of belonging to the history of the region and the country as a whole, the value spiritual and moral attitudes of young people.