Renewal of small cities in European Russia (case study of Borovichi, Vyksa, Rostov)

The article proposes a method for identifying “reviving” rural settlements (RS). Case studies of the Tver region RS revealed what features of the geographical location determine a settlement opportunities for revitalization. The previous typology, based on the analysis of satellite images, showed a considerable differentiation in the degree of RS degradation, classified according to the 2010 census as “without population”. Further work to determine the leading factors of revitalization was based on the study of those RS where the houses and outbuildings, identified by satellite images, have been preserved to the greatest extent. Nearness to rivers and water bodies, position relative to federal and regional highways, and location near the regional and/or district center were chosen as key features of the geographical location that have an effect on the prospects for revitalization of a territory. The presence of registered residents (according to current records) and demarcated cadastral plots are indicators of the RS revitalization. The study showed that one third of all RS, which fell into the category “without population” according to 2010 statistics, could now be considered “reviving”. A key factor in the revitalization of rural settlements of the Tver region is their nearness to the river, mainly to the Volga River. Another important factor is the location in the zone of influence of main centers, primarily the city of Tver. The main function is the recreational (dacha) use of such villages.

Geographical Factors of Revitalization of Rural Settlements “Without Population

SMIRNOVA

2024

Spatial Structure of Small Cities: The Approaches to Typology (Based on the Materials From Central Russia)

Смирнов

2023

The article examines the spatial structure of small towns in Central Russia. The information base of the study covers satellite images of 190 small towns. The paper proposes a concept of morphological structure of the city, which is determined by the nature (shape) of external boundaries, the presence of significant internal barriers leading to the fragmentation of space, and isolated urban areas. A methodology for assessing the complexity of urban space is suggested. It is based on the scoring of the impact of various geographical barriers on the urban environment. The most significant barriers include rivers and railways; the relief features, the location of industrial enterprises and the presence of protected areas were also considered. Special emphasis was given to urban areas isolated from the main built-up territories, i. e. exclaves. Five classes of urban space complexity have been identified, from very simple to very complex. The most complex space is typical of five small towns, which were initially clusters of workers’ settlements. The combination of data on the morpho-logical structure and complexity of space made it possible to identify six final forms of the spatial structure of the city. More often than others, there are cities with a dissected morphological structure in combination with a medium-complex space. One third of the cities under consideration have such parameters. The smallest number of cities has a dissected complex space. The cities tend to increase the complexity of their space in the process of development. The study showed that despite small population, the towns under consideration have very complex spatial structure

Assessment Procedures for Studying the Tourist Attractiveness of Small and Medium Cities (Case Study of the Perm Region)

Myshliavtseva,

Merkushev,

Lanin

2023

The main aim of the study is to elaborate the assessment methodology for studying the tourist attractiveness of cities. The assessment procedures were tested for small and medium cities of the Perm region. The cities were assessed according to 8 criteria and 30 indicators. According to the results of calculations, four groups of cities with different indices of tourist attractiveness were identified. The group of the highest tourism attractiveness included the cities of Kungur, Solikamsk, Tchaikovsky and Osa. These are mainly cities that have preserved a rich cultural and natural heritage; over the past two decades there is a systematic approach in making managerial decisions to create a friendly environment. The second group includes the cities of Kudymkar, Nytva, Lysva, Ocher, Cherdyn, Dobryanka and Krasnokamsk. The cities have less attractors of tourist flows. The exception is Cherdyn, which has a high density of cultural heritage, but lags behind in the formation of a service environment. The cities of the group have a high potential, but the increase in tourist attractiveness will depend on the diversification and intensification of the industrial and non-industrial spheres. The third group includes the cities of Gubakha, Chusovoy, Chernushka, Usolye, Krasnovishersk and Vereshchagino. Most of the cities are well-recognizable, due to their location near significant tourist landmarks. To increase the attractiveness of the city centers it is necessary to ensure their closer connection with the surrounding dominants in order to achieve a synergy effect. The fourth group included the cities of Chermoz, Okhansk, Kizel, Aleksandrovsk, Gornozavodsk and Gremyachinsk. The group brings together the cities with the highest share of the lowest performance scores. Their further development requires the formation of a touristfrien