2021 Issue №4

Changes in the spatial structure of rural settlement, which occur primarily under the influence of structural transformations in the economy, turn urban agglomerations into the drivers of growth. The periphery becomes, as a rule, depressive. This forces the regional authorities to work out programs for the regional development of peripheral territories characterized as backward areas with depopulation and population outflow, poor infrastructure, low incomes and high rates of unemployment. However, the suburban area is not homogeneous, and rural areas see one or another socio-economic problem arise. This article, based on the concept of the geodemographic situation using statistical data, considers the results of a sociological survey and field research, the socio-economic situation of rural settlements in the suburban area of the agglomeration. The authors analyse the factors influencing the distribution of the rural population within the urban agglomeration.

The development of territories at the micro level is a topical research issue due to emerging trends in the development of small towns and districts. So, on the territory of the Kaliningrad region, several micro-districts are distinguished (according to socio-economic zoning), including the territory of the south-east, i. e., Gusev, Nesterov, Ozersk and Chernyakhovsk municipalities. The southeastern territory of the region is interesting for polarization processes and the spatial structure of the territory development. The purpose of this article is to study and analyze the indicators of the economic development of the territory, considering the spatial development. Based on the published statistical data, the article analyzes a few economic indicators of industrial development in the south-east of the region and indicators of agricultural development. The dynamics of the development in these economic sectors is revealed and results in conclusions about the processes which take place in the territory under consideration.

The study focuses on world financial centers (GFCs), which have different functions, and, forming a network of GFCs, ensure the integration of the countries into the world financial system (WFS). But within the framework of the GFC network, the global financial centers that are part of it, may differentiate significantly and experience inequality. The geography of the research is wide, covering the global and regional levels. The typology drawn up in the work focuses on the functional differentiation of the GFC, which occurred as a result of their formation and development. The spatial aspect of the transformation of the GFC network is manifested through the use of the Center-Peripheral model, which in this work covers the world financial system. Based on the analysis of statistical data, indices of consulting companies, as well as comprehensive studies carried out by economists and geographers, the world financial centers are differentiated by the functions they perform within the GFC network. Global financial centers have been subdivided into some types, and a number of conclusions have been formulated about the trends in the transformation of the GFC network and the factors determining this process. The author has identified promising points of growth and new macroregions of the world financial system.

Narcotizing of the population does not only cause harm to the physical and mental health of drug addicts, but also adversely affects the vital activity of the regions, which creates a direct threat to the gene pool of the nation, ensuring the rule of law, the national security of the country. Territorial differences in narcotizing are determined by many factors, such as the economic and geographical location, the level of transport infrastructure development and the social well-being of the population. At the same time, location-wise, the level of the drug situation and its influence on the socio-economic development of the regions is practically not considered in research publications. In the current study, the author attempts to analyze the indicated issues, on the example of the subjects of the North-Western Federal District (NWFD).

The study established that the structure of drug-consumption in the District largely depends on the economic and geographical position of the subjects, the natural and climatic conditions. Opioid drug addiction has the greatest negative impact on the socio-economic development of the subjects. The subjects in which there is a high level of drug-addiction among the population are forced to allocate significant funds both for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. When developing regional anti-drug programs, it is important to take into account the territorial specifics of the structure of drug consumption and the consequences that may arise.