Theories Of Spatial Development Research Articles

The effect of transport parameters on regional economic development: The case of the Ural Federal District

The transport has a special role to play in the regional socioeconomic development, which changes depending on the prevailing trends for population mobility, introduction of advanced technologies, extension of economic connections, and growth in regional production. The study explores the problem of the interface between transport and regional economy on the example of the Ural Federal District. Methodologically, it relies on the theories of spatial development and regional economics. The main method of research is correlation and regression analysis. The evidence is the socioeconomic data on transport as well as values of gross regional product of the Ural Federal District for 2010–2020 sourced from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. The paper develops a model for forecasting GRP. The analysis indicates the presence of the relationship between the socioeconomic metrics of the transport sector and gross regional product of the Ural Federal District. In particular, there is the correlation between the indicators “density of public roads with hard surface”, “deaths in road accidents per 100,000 population” and gross regional product of the Ural Federal District. The paper concludes about the need to develop a composite indicator for assessing the transport sector that will reflect the ongoing digital modernisation and introduction of innovations.

Food retail in rural areas: Choosing the optimal format

Tightening competition among food retailers stimulates them to develop new formats of stores for urban spaces, which also can be economically efficient in rural areas. Appearance of a new format of stores that excites clientele’s interest and is able to compete with pick-up points and liquor stores may become a key to the domination in the market. The paper examines the prospects of creating an optimal format for food retailers that hold potential for spread in rural areas. Methodologically, the study relies on a systems approach, the cyclical theory of retail, and spatial development theories. The method encompasses three stages: first, holding a comparative analysis of the format structure of food retailers for 2015–2023; second, evaluating the territorial distribution of the two formats of retail chains (hard discounters and convenience stores) using the case of Volga and Ural Federal Districts; third, determining new formats of retail chains outside cities. Based on the analysis of market trends in the development of retail chain stores the paper suggests a conceptual model of the optimal retail format for rural areas with respect to product range, pricing, distribution of sales area, and additional services. The suggestions about the improvements in the model of the retail format for rural areas may spur the retail trade growth and promote the development of trade infrastructure outside urban areas.

ҚАЛАЛЫҚ АГЛОМЕРАЦИЯЛАРДЫҢ ҚАЛЫПТАСУЫ МЕН ДАМУЫ: ЗЕРТТЕУДІҢ ТЕОРИЯЛЫҚ ЖӘНЕ ӘДІСНАМАЛЫҚ АСПЕКТІЛЕРІ

Abstract. The article provides a retrospective of the urban agglomeration and systematization of the scientific heritage of a number of modern domestic and foreign theories. The subject of the study is the analysis of fundamental theories of the formation and development of urban agglomerations from ancient times to the modern period. The aim of the work is a comprehensive study of scientific schools and trends, which are the theoretical and methodological form of the concept of urban agglomeration, in order to substantiate important and promising trends in the theory of agglomeration development. The following research methods are used in the article: methods of theoretical cognition, general logical methods and research methods (abstraction and generalization, induction and deduction, systematic approach, structural and functional method, methods of comparative analysis). The result of the work is the analysis and substantiation of the most promising directions of foreign and domestic theories of agglomeration processes. Scope of application of the results-this article, along with other works, expands the scientific field of research concerning the fundamental concepts of spatial development in the context of urban agglomeration theory. As a result of the analysis, conclusions were drawn about the priority trends of scientificresearch in terms of the theory of agglomeration, aimed at finding reserves for improving the efficiency of spatial management by activating agglomeration processes. Keywords: agglomeration process, theories of spatial development, theories of production placement and population settlement, theories of urban agglomeration

Studying the level of trust in regional authorities

The absence or low level of trust in regional authorities hinder the development of the country’s economy. Building trust is a long-term objective and largely depends on the region’s educational environment, especially the university one, which should nurture human resources. The study aims to establish the level of trust in the institutions of higher education, healthcare and regional authorities in the educational environment of Chelyabinsk oblast (Russia). The theory of spatial development, cultural and institutional theories of trust constitute the theoretical framework of the study. The methods of ranging and grouping, as well as correlation analysis were applied. Empirical evidence is obtained through the survey of 382 respondents working in the field of higher education in Chelyabinsk oblast. In the paper, we determine the level of their trust in the institutions of education, healthcare, regional and municipal authorities. Among students, lecturers and other university employees, the highest and the lowest levels of trust were recorded in educational institutions and regional and municipal authorities, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed the relationship between trust and possible factors in its formation within each institution under study. It was found that this relationship was not universal either in the context of respondents’ categories or trust forms. The paper provides recommendations for regional and municipal authorities focused on increasing the confidence in their activities and, as a result, enhancing their effectiveness.

Long-term trends in differentiation between regions: Sverdlovsk oblast vs Chelyabinsk oblast

Threats of increased differentiation across regions, which have caused inefficient spatial development, are progressively coming into the scientists’ focus. By and large, a peripheral region is unlikely to take the place of the center. In the Urals1 , the Sverdlovsk oblast has long been the center and stayed ahead of its neighbours in terms of socioeconomic performance. Our previous research revealed a phenomenon called ‘synchronisation of economies’. Accordingly, the Chelyabinsk oblast in many instances repeats the trends of the Sverdlovsk oblast, but remains at the periphery. In this regard, studying the differentiation between the two economies becomes a relevant issue. The research aims to construct long-term trends of differentiation between regions using the case of the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk oblasts. The theories of spatial development, including the theory of cumulative growth, constitute the methodological basis of the research. Applying the methods of statistical comparison and times series analysis, the study interprets the data published by Russia’s Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), the Unified Interdepartmental Statistical Information System (UISIS), and generated by FIRA PRO information analytics system (OOO “First Independent Rating Agency”). The author proposes a method for assessing differentiation across regions based on 12 indicators. The findings demonstrate that for 2001–2020, the variation between the regions in terms of GRP per capita (in 2001 prices) has increased, whereas in terms of wages in prices of the same year it decreased. In relation to the outsider region, the Sverdlovsk oblast has kept its position in terms of the real GRP per capita compared to the Chelyabinsk oblast, which is approaching the outsider. At the same time, for 2001–2020, both regions have become closer to the leader. With regard to the real wages, the positions of the regions have nearly equalized, the ‘superiority’ over the outsider has decreased.

Economy and spatial order. Planning and the policy of regional and local development

The article presents both theoretical and practical aspects of socio-economic activity in the country, regions and municipalities. Attention is paid to the formulation of the theory of location and spatial order in spatialeconomy, contained in the main paradigms of J. H. von Thunen, A. Weber, H. Hotelling, W. Christaller and A. Lӧsch, as well as in the more recent (contemporary) theories of W. Isard, R. Sinclair, and C. Ronsard. In the next part of the study, theories of spatial development—regional and local—are outlined. On this basis, the article presents new aspects of planning, order and spatial policy in Poland, taking into account the national, regional (voivodeship) and local (municipalities and poviats) levels. In the above-discussed topic, compatible issues preceding planning were taken into account, i.e. preparation of a development strategy, and then the assumptions and practical implementation of regional and local development policy.

Теоретичні аспекти просторового розвитку: аналіз світового досвіду формування системи управління територіями

The stages of development of the world economy and the peculiarities of the functioning of countries in the world, which are inherent in different time periods, are: changes in trends, emergence and increase of socio-economic and socio-political contradictions, importance of certain key factors for the formation of a policy of managing territorial development under different conditions, all this has led to the emergence of a number of spatial development theories. The authors of theories and models of spatial development considered the development of territories from the point of view of a wide range of factors of influence: geographical, administrative, economic, social, political, innovative, etc., characteristic of different time periods. An effective management of territorial development in modern conditions is becoming relevant in terms of the need not only to solve existing problems, but also to expand opportunities for self-development of territories. The implementation of theoretical provisions of spatial development theories has found a practical reflection in different historical periods of the economy of different countries. Theories of spatial development form the basis of the methodology of public administration, which determines the principles, directions of formation and ways to ensure the functioning of organizational structures and relevant mechanisms, models of development and management, approaches to the use of resources, etc. With the help of spatial theories one explains and anticipates trends, develops models and mechanisms of territorial development, forms instruments for their practical implementation. Due to the importance, complexity and interdependence with a whole range of socio-political, socio-economic, ecological and other processes, the issues of theoretical approaches to the formation and functioning of the optimal model of spatial development constantly remain in the field of view of researchers and practitioners of the world, which further determines the prospects and relevance of studying the defined topic.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ И РАЗВИТИЕ ГОРОДСКИХ АГЛОМЕРАЦИЙ: ТЕОРЕТИКО-МЕТОДОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ

The article systematizes the scientific heritage of retrospective and a number of modern domestic and foreign theories of urban agglomeration. The subject of the study is the analysis of the fundamental theories of the formation and development of urban agglomerations, starting from ancient times through the modern period. The aim of the study is a comprehensive analysis of scientific schools and trends that are the conceptual platform of the theory of agglomeration, in order to develop possible directions for further promising trends related to the theory of agglomeration development. The following research methods are used in the article: methods of theoretical knowledge, general logical methods and research techniques (abstraction and generalization, induction and deduction, system approach, structural and functional method, methods of comparative analysis).The result of the study is the analysis and justification of the most promising directions of foreign and domestic theories of agglomeration processes. The scope of application of the results is that along with other works, the article expands the scientific field of fundamental research related to the theory of spatial development in the context of the theory of urban agglomerations. As a result of the analysis, conclusions are drawn about the priority trends of scientific research in the theory of agglomeration, focused on the search for reserves to improve the efficiency of spatial management by activating agglomeration processes.

The impact of agricultural transformations on the region's rural settlement system

Subject. This article explores the changes in the region's rural settlement system driven by certain transformations in agriculture. Objectives. The article aims to assess the impact of the transformations in agricultural production of the Amur Oblast on the settlement structure of the Far Eastern agricultural region. Methods. For the study, we used the methods of logical, comparative, and statistical analyses, and typology. A set of spatial development theories is the methodological basis of the study. Results. The article presents a database that helps understand the history of agricultural settlements of the area, as well as demographic processes and trends differentiation. Conclusions. The mechanisms to stabilize the area's population should be used alongside with spatial development policies that are in line with the development of agricultural settlements.

Formation of the electric power infrastructure system of the region as a priority task of strategic planning of socio-economic development of territories

The article considers the organization of strategic planning for the development of infrastructure systems in the economic space of the region. The subject of the study is the processes of strategic planning of infrastructure systems in the region. The purpose of the article is to study the features of strategic planning for the development of electric power infrastructure systems in the economic space of the region. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the theory of spatial development, strategic planning, infrastructure systems and methods for assessing their impact on the socio-economic development of territories. The properties of infrastructure systems as an object of strategic planning are determined. From the position of the institutional approach, the features of the formation of the strategy for the development of infrastructure systems in the region, the multilevel nature of the planning subjects are revealed. The authors analyzed the organization of strategic planning of spatial infrastructure systems in the management of regional development on the example of the electric power industry. The institutional environment for the development of electric power infrastructure in the Russian Federation is considered on the basis of an analysis of the timing and frequency of preparation of strategic documents, consistency of development goals. Strategic risks of not implementing strategic planning documents have been identified. On the example of the Sverdlovsk region, the balance of strategic investment and socio-economic planning for the development of territories and electric power infrastructure is analyzed. The actual tasks of strategic planning for the development of infrastructure systems are identified, which consist in ensuring connectivity, synchronicity of territorial development plans with infrastructure development, consistency of planning processes, implementation of regional and corporate sector development strategies.

ТЕРРИТОРИАЛЬНОЕ ОБЩЕСТВЕННОЕ САМОУПРАВЛЕНИЕ В КОНТЕКСТЕ ТЕОРИЙ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННОГО РАЗВИТИЯ

ТЕРРИТОРИАЛЬНОЕ ОБЩЕСТВЕННОЕ САМОУПРАВЛЕНИЕ В КОНТЕКСТЕ ТЕОРИЙ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННОГО РАЗВИТИЯ

ЭВОЛЮЦИЯ ТЕОРИЙ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННОГО РАЗВИТИЯ: ПРИНЦИПИАЛЬНЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ И СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ЗАДАЧИ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ

ЭВОЛЮЦИЯ ТЕОРИЙ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННОГО РАЗВИТИЯ: ПРИНЦИПИАЛЬНЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ И СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ЗАДАЧИ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ

Соціально-економічні детермінанти розвитку людського потенціалу територій: теоретичний та прикладний аспект

The article is devoted to the analysis of theoretical and methodological approaches to determining the social and economic determinants of the human potential of territories development from the standpoint of the modern human-centered concept economic and regional growth. The interrelation of economic growth modern theories and spatial development theories with the human potential of territories (regions) development is analyzed, on the basis of which social and economic determinants of human potential development are substantiated, which determine the need, conditions and parameters for its formation. Several indicators for evaluation and measurement of social and economic determinants of human potential development have been separated, grouped into four blocks of indicators (economic and spatial development, level of well-being, development of knowledge and creative economy), its theoretical and methodological substantiation has been carried out. In order to test the proposed approach, a comparative analysis and assessment of social and economic determinants of human potential development of the regions selected by typical characteristics. Based on the results of calculating the general index of social and economic determinants of regional human development, problem areas have been identified, the regulation of which requires increased attention of regional authorities in the context of developing and improving strategic programs for regional development

The spatial aspect of regional policy in the field of the vocational education system development

Formation of national advantages based on the vocational education system development is a relevant topic in the context of Russia’s involvement in global technological competition. Amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is necessary for countries and regions to use their competitive advantages effectively. A number of national strategies and socio-economic development programs aim to help the Russian Federation make a breakthrough and enter global competition. At the same time, strong differentiation of the country’s territories and scant attention to spatial development factors impede the socio-economic development of Russian regions. The paper investigates the issues of the regional vocational education system (RVES) development and establishes the directions of regional policy that take into account the distinctive features of its spatial elements. The methodological basis of the study includes spatial development theories, the humanistic approach and socioeconomics as one of its components. The research methods are correlation and regression analysis and building econometric models to test the formulated hypotheses and identify the priorities of regional policy in the field of vocational education development. The statistical base is the obtained index values of RVES spatial organization and the selected statistical indicators for the period of 2004–2017. The research results prove the hypotheses about the impact of RVES’s contribution to the formation of the regional economy labour potential. The study can be of interest for the federal and regional authorities when drawing up a strategy for the vocational education system development.

The problems of soy market development in the far east and the ways of their solutions

<p>Soybean production is the main branch of specialization of agriculture in the south of the Far East, which is due to the unique natural advantages associated with favorable climatic conditions for the cultivation of this crop. In Russia, soybean as an agricultural crop has not historically found wide distribution, which is due to the exacting nature of this plant for various factors of production, the undeveloped culture of consumption of soy products in the diet of the population. Therefore soybeans were more used as technical raw materials for the production of the most important products of its processing - oil and meal. The purpose of this study is to identify trends in the soybean seeds market in the Far East and develop recommendations for improving the efficiency of its functioning in modern conditions. The methodology of soybean market research is based on the synthesis of economic analysis and applied methods developed in mathematical statistics. The scientific value of the results of the study is to identify the development trend of the soybean market localized in the Far East of Russia and to develop practical recommendations that complement the main provisions of the theory of spatial development and institutional configuration of market structures in the agrarian sphere.</p>

Spatial Interactions between the Settlement Network, Natural Landscape and Zones of Economic Activities: A Case Study in a Greek Region

The structure of a settlement network has been influenced historically by physical, geographical and socioeconomic factors. Theories of spatial development have focused on the interaction between urban areas and socioeconomic processes considering the natural surroundings as a steady parameter rather than a potentially varying element contributing to spatial development. Over the past 25 years in Greece, a number of socio-economic factors along with improvements in transport infrastructure led to crucial changes in the traditional settlement system. The development of new economic activities was often associated with the special characteristics of the natural landscape. In this way, natural landscape as a dynamic element interacts with the built environment and the economic activities of a place, leading to the formation of new clusters of relationships. Using the case study of the Region of Western Macedonia, a mountainous, border zone Greek region, and based on an interactive framework of analysis whereby human and natural systems are considered strongly interconnected, this paper examines the spatial interactions between the settlement network, as the basic representation of human activity, the natural landscape, as a crucial element of the natural system, and the dynamic zones of economic activities, as a parameter that encompasses crucial attributes of both human and natural systems. The paper proposes that the heterogeneity of these interactions and the way they affect the thresholds and resilience of a specific place are important for the understanding of spatial change and for an integrated spatial planning for sustainable development.

Spatial Development

We present a theory of spatial development. Manufacturing and services firms located in a continuous geographic area choose each period how much to innovate. Firms trade subject to transport costs and technology diffuses spatially. We apply the model to study the evolution of the US economy in the last half-century and find that it can generate the reduction in the manufacturing employment share, the increased spatial concentration of services, the growth in service productivity starting in the mid-1990s, the rise in the dispersion of land rents in the same period, as well as several other spatial and temporal patterns. (JEL J21, L16, L60, L80, O33, R11, R32)

The conceptual model of a region development administration considering the level of spatial relatedness

In the article, the relatedness as an attribute of spatial development that has greater importance for economic policy implementation being a characteristic of its object is considered. Relatedness is understood as the quantitatively measurable extent of productive, social and other interactions intensity between elements of the socio-economic system on two levels: inter-regional relatedness takes place if subjects of interactions are located in different regions, intra-regional if the interactions between residents are located in the same region. Addressing to the analysis and synthesis of the scientific discussion main achievements in the theory of spatial development and institutional theory, historical analogies and empiric results of implementation of different level integration projects allowed to provide the proof for the following hypothesis: economic policy that shapes up the basis of regional development must entail instruments for economic space relatedness measurement, assessment and administration as its inseparable elements, and these instruments must have reasonable theoretic and methodological basis. We propose a conceptual model for taking decisions concerning regional development parameters and dynamics, which considers economic space relatedness, both inter- and intra-regional. Its practical implementation provides an algorithm for examining the existing interrelations within a region and beyond its borders, as well as their basis and supporting factors. The model’s fundamental principle is multidirectional effect of relatedness forces onto socio-economic development parameters of the region. This allows to consider actual asymmetry and unevenness of economic space and provides variability of the decisions that can be taken towards existing relations.

A brief history of time, space, and growth: Waldo Tobler’s first law of geography revisited

In the current knowledge economy, the most important production factor, human knowledge, is much more mobile than the dominating production factors of previous periods. This means that theories of spatial development, formulated during the manufacturing-industrial era, might not be wholly applicable today. One of the basic assumptions of spatial theory is formulated in Waldo Tobler’s first law of geography: “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.” This article discusses the validity of this law in today’s knowledge economy. While several factors have made distance less important, a crucial factor for innovation and growth—tacit knowledge—is still highly dependent on face-to-face contacts. This suggests that Waldo Tobler’s first law of geography plays an important role also in the knowledge economy.

On the awkwardness of spatial development theories against the crisis

The presentation of the main argument starts with a synopsis of the successive efforts, sucesses and failures, of spatial development planning, especially after the energy crisis of the 1970s. The second step focuses upon the local/global relationships as a question of multi-level spatial integration. This symbiotic relationship intensifi es with the pace of globalisation and transcends national economies and even international groupings. Finally, instead of conclusion there is a comment on the resilience of regions with reference to the recent economioc crisis.