Use of the “Gifts” of the Animal World by the Population of the Northern Part of Bukovina in the 8th—13th Centuries

The article examines the ways of development and specialization of animal husbandry in a particular region, namely the northern part of Bukovina, over a fairly long period from the formation of East Slavic tribal reigns to the Ancient Rus state and the Mongol-Tatar invasion. The development of animal husbandry, the species composition of the herd of domestic animals, depending on the influence of the physical-geographical, natural-climatic and socio-economic conditions of the region is analyzed based on osteoarchaeological material. Such material from the settlements of the study area makes it possible to state the presence of several types of economic specialization of animal husbandry and conclude their quantitative ratio in the study area. So in the Middle Dniester, pig breeding prevailed, followed by sheep breeding and raising cattle (the first type of animal husbandry). On the left bank of the Prut River, with its turf-podzolic loams, preference was given to the breeding of big cattle — small ruminants — pigs (the second species). The third species is presented in the following sequence: cattle — pig breeding — sheep breeding. Hunting products played an important role in the diet of the local population. The species composition of wild game animals, hunting methods, and tools used in this process are analyzed. The study showed a fairly high level of development of animal husbandry and hunting among the local population.

Typology of Municipalities to Monitor Their Socio-Economic Development

One of the urgent tasks of the state policy of spatial development is the introduction of a permanent system for monitoring the socio-economic development of municipalities (at least at the level of municipal and districts), for which, as stated in the article, it is necessary to develop typologies of municipalities. It is advisable to generalize and analyze statistical information on municipalities on the basis of its automatic processing for different types of territories. The article analyzes the existing experience of the EU and the OECD in the typology of regions comparable to Russian municipal districts, and also summarizes the experience accumulated in Russia in the typologization of territories – municipalities in general, cities. It is shown that the basic typology can and should be based on an assessment of the settlement system – the ratio of urban and rural population, population density, the presence of a large urban center or proximity to it. Additionally, it is also important to take into account natural and climatic conditions, geographical location, sustainable economic specialization, and administrative status.

Prerequisites and initial developments for economic specialization in lagging regions—A study of specialized villages in Iran

Although the literature provides a huge number of studies on specialized regions, such as clusters and industrial districts, most of them concern developed regions. Studies that focus on the initial processes and preconditions for the emergence of economic specialization in lagging regions are rare, and studies of this kind considering a large number of cases not existing. We use the information on 140 villages in lagging rural regions in Iran to examine the initializing processes and preconditions as well as the connection between the two. We find that the conditions that are present in the region affect the potential initial processes and developments that might lead to specialization. Thus, the findings support the application of place-based policies.

Potential for the Development of Productive Activities of the Russian Penal System in the Context of Achieving National Goals Under the Paris Climate Agreement

One of the key tasks of the penal and correctional system is not only to socially isolate convicts and organize acceptable living conditions for them, but also to ensure their adequate resocialization after serving their sentence. The solution of this problem requires new approaches to the conduct of production activities by the institutions of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. Among others, priority should be given to the areas of traditional economic specialization of the penitentiary system, which include, for example, logging and woodworking. The national contribution of the Russian Federation to the implementation of the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement implies the fullest possible use of the carbon-absorbing capacity of Russian forests. This task is solved, among other things, by a significant increase in the volume of artificial reforestation, which requires the development of a network of tree nurseries throughout the country. The article analyzes in detail the experience of a joint pilot project on forest nursery creation based on one of the institutions of the Federal Penitentiary Service with the participation of business association in the field of forest industry in Krasnoyarsk Krai. It is shown that the project is not only effective, but also has high indicators of economic efficiency, characterized by low payback period under the condition of ensuring decent working conditions for inmates. It emphasizes the importance of scientific and methodological support of the work performed by universities and research institutes, including within the program of creating world-class scientific and educational centers of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

Population of Urban Settlements: Comparative Analysis of The Russian North and The Republic of Belarus

The article examines the urban population of the Russian North and the Republic of Belarus after 1989. Thepurpose of the article is to comparatively analyze the demographic dynamics of urban settlements, considering the differences between the two countries. The text provides an analysis at three levels: state, regional and at the level of urban settlements. The article presents the general dynamics of the population of Russia, its northern territories and the Republic of Belarus; shows the role of demographic components in population dynamics and their transformation at the end of the twentieth century – the beginning of the XXI century. The authors considered the effectiveness of the migration exchange of the northern territoriesof Russia and the Republic of Belarus, showing the scale of migration losses. The article analyzes the dynamics of the number and population density of urban settlements by type in 1989–2020. In terms of the number of urban settlements, small and mediumsized cities are leading, at the same time, by place of residence, most of the population lives in cities over 100 thousand people. The authors note that the Russian North is highly urbanized, surpassing both Russia and Belarus in this indicator. Particular attention is paid to the spatial analysis of the dynamics of the population of urban settlements. The study revealed patterns in thedependence of the demographic development of urban settlements on the spatial distribution. The results allow us to assess the prospects for the further development of urban settlement systems in the Russian North and in the Republic of Belarus, which will find application in strategies and measures for the spatial development of territories. Further research should be aimed at identifying differences in the demographic behavior of residents of settlements with different economic specialization.

The Impact of Economic Specialization on Regional Economic Development in the European Union: Insights for Formation of Smart Specialization Strategy

The smart specialization concept was implemented in the EU in 2014, stating that regions have to specify specialization areas for development of innovations. Economic specialization reveals a comparative advantage in that field. However, there are different arguments linking specialization to economic development. This study analyzes these arguments and aims to investigate the impact of economic specialization on regional economic development and to give insights into identifying prospective areas in regional economies. A panel fixed effect estimation of industry-level regional data suggests that economic specialization in broader regional employment, called relative specialization, is ambiguously associated with economic development. Our findings suggest that neither economic specialization nor economic diversity are a clear-cut solution for ensuring economic growth. Economic structure in EU regions differs, and there is no one answer for which approach is better for economic development. Specialization measures, particularly the location quotient, cannot fully capture the dynamics in the industry structure that could be essential for formation of regional development strategy.

Regional Economic Studies: Place and Role in Interregional and Interstate Cooperation

The article studies the role of regional science and the opportunity of using its tools in spatial social and economic research. The relevance of the topic is explained by the priority influence of geographical location, natural and climatic conditions on the organization of various types of economic life of public law entities. The aim of the study is to find acceptable solutions for intra-, interregional and interstate interaction by all participants in economic relations. Causal relationships in the phenomena and processes under analysis are revealed, general scientific and applied approaches are used: dialectics, analysis and synthesis, comparison, logic and abstraction, induction and deduction, verbal modeling, expert assessments. The relationship between the type and economic situation of administrative and territorial entities, the development of theoretical and methodological foundations of regional science and the use of its tools in economic practice is substantiated. On the basis of the analysis of official information, the emerging contradictions and unifying tendencies in the functioning of regions of different ranks are studied. The conclusion about the desire of constituent entities of federation to expand economic interaction, and the wish of a number of post-soviet countries for the integration of economic relations was made. On the basis of the results of the study, the available set of regional scientific tools, the effectiveness of regulatory measures taken by government authorities is shown. The interstate projects which are currently being implemented and planned for implementation in the nearest future are assessed. The authors make suggestions on the technology for selecting effective economic specialization of regions and embedding their production and infrastructure complexes into the integration processes on the territory of the EAEU. An assessment of the potential for unification processes in Eurasia is made. The presented results can be applied when choosing a problematics for further research and substantiating tactical recommendations that are acceptable for scientific and applied purposes.

Vladivostok agglomeration: problems and options for its development

В территориальной организации Приморского края, сложившейся в прежних социально-экономических условиях, наблюдаются трансформации, которые значительно ускорились за годы подготовки г. Владивосток к саммиту стран Азиатско-Тихоокеанского экономического сотрудничества. Прирост инфраструктурного потенциала, возросшая мобильность населения, коренные изменения в экономической специализации, не снижающаяся острота демографических и экологических проблем – все это актуализирует задачу повышения эффективности социально-экономических связей между поселениями и, тем самым, улучшения жизни населения. Агломерационные связи г. Владивосток с его ближайшим окружением развивались не одно десятилетие, но события последних лет существенно активизируют взаимодействие и раздвигают границы агломерации. Влияние на развитие города оказывает новая роль, которую он играет теперь в международных отношениях Азиатско-Тихоокеанского региона (АТР). При этом стало более заметным его отставание от наиболее развитых городов в этом макрорегионе мира. В этой связи ставится задача на долгосрочную перспективу – приступить к формированию на востоке России города мирового (глобального) значения, будущего мегаполиса за счет расширения состава агломерации, наделения его правами федерального округа, а также уточнения приоритетов экономического развития и усиления интеграционных связей в АТР. Важным фактором развития Владивостокской агломерации является его международное окружение. В качестве источника роста численности населения следует рассматривать в первую очередь граждан Российской Федерации, но необходимы усилия, чтобы обеспечить привлекательность этой территории для граждан других государств. Студенческую молодежь как России, так и близлежащих зарубежных стран следует рассматривать в качестве важного фактора, стабилизирующего демографическую ситуацию в регионе. The transformations of the territorial organization of Primorsky Krai, formed under the previous socio-economic conditions, and which have significantly accelerated during the years of preparations of Vladivostok for the APEC Summit, are observed. The increase in infrastructural potential, higher mobility of the population, fundamental changes in economic specialization, the continuing severity of demographic and environmental problems, all that sets a task of increasing the efficiency of socio-economic ties between settlements, and thereby improving the life of the population. The agglomeration ties of Vladivostok with its immediate surroundings have been developing for more than a decade, but the events of recent years significantly intensify interaction and push the boundaries of the agglomeration out. The city’s development is influenced now by its new role in the international relations of the Asia-Pacific region (APR). At the same time, its lag behind the most developed cities in this macro-region of the world has become more noticeable. In this regard, there is a long term task to begin the formation of a city of world (global) significance in the east of Russia, a future metropolis by expanding the current agglomeration, giving it the rights of a federal district, as well as clarifying the priorities of economic development and strengthening integration ties in the APR. The international environment close to Vladivostok is an important factor in the development of the city agglomeration. Citizens of the Russian Federation should be considered as the main source of population growth, but efforts are needed to ensure the attractiveness of this territory for citizens from other states. Student youth both in Russia and nearby foreign countries should be regarded as an important factor stabilizing the demographic situation in the region.

FORMATION OF INFRASTRUCTURAL FACTORS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION

This article highlights the problems of determining infrastructural factors in the system of socioeconomic and cultural development of regions. Using systemic and synergetic approaches, methods of analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, comparative analysis, it is justified that a term “infrastructure” in its modern sense is the basis of the economic system and its components, its internal organization, which guarantees its integrity. At the same time, the socio-economic meaning of the concept of “regional infrastructure” is to provide the necessary conditions for economic and social development of territories. The important role of regional infrastructure stems from its functions, which can be divided into internal (specialized) and external (regional). Internal functions are a number of important economic and social functions performed by each enterprise, and element, and subdivision of the regional infrastructure. At the same time, external ones are to ensure a comprehensive and properly balanced development of the region in accordance with its resource potential and certain specialization. In order to unconditionally improve the situation in the regional infrastructure, today many hopes of the regional and local authorities are placed on attracting external investment capital as the most promising area for financing its modernization. It is worth noting that a number of powerful foreign and domestic companies that have the appropriate experience in solving such large-scale problems are ready to become investors and implement the best achievements of organizational and technical experience in the relevant regions of Ukraine. At the same time, it is established that at this time the regions of Ukraine are trying to use their resources as efficiently as possible for further development, are looking for new opportunities to use their potential. Its disclosure and effective use, taking into account the defining regional features and the corresponding economic specialization, require a proper increase in the efficiency of all elements of the regional infrastructure. However, whatever the features of its classification, it is undeniable that it plays a key role in implementing the strategy implementation of appropriate processes of modernization of the regional economy. So, the term “infrastructure” in the modern sense is the basis of the economic system and its components, its internal organization, which guarantees its integrity. Meanwhile, the socio-economic meaning of the concept of “regional infrastructure” is to provide appropriate conditions for economic and social development of the region. Simultaneously, the more developed and modernized it is, the more attractive any unit of local self-government becomes for various investors, in particular, from the outside, which creates new jobs, reduces unemployment and increases consumer demand. In addition, today the regions of Ukraine are trying to make the most efficient use of their resources for further development, are looking for new opportunities to use their full potential. Its disclosure and effective use, taking into account regional characteristics and economic specialization, need to increase the efficiency of all elements of regional infrastructure. Contemporarily, despite the diversity of approaches to understanding its essence and the existence of different concepts, it is logical to highlight its specific levels, each of the elements of which performs its function in the economic system of the region. Therefore, the classification of regional infrastructure on a functional basis into production, social and market is the most accurate. As the analysis of its selected elements presented in this work shows, the close interrelation between them and economic development of regions is traced. The higher level of its development causes the growth of foreign investments and increase of labour resources, acceleration of economic development and growth of living standards of the population of the region. Conversely, lowering the level of infrastructural development slows down production and may lead to a decline in living standards. However, whatever the features of its classification, it is undeniable that it primarily plays one of the most important roles when it comes to implementing a strategy for modernization of the regional economy.

Re-assessing the notion(s) of craft standardization through diversity statistics: A pilot study on Late Chalcolithic pottery from Arslantepe in Eastern Anatolia

This paper proposes a new range of diversity indexes applicable to ceramic petrographic and geochemical data and potentially to any archaeological data of both metric and non-metric nature in order to assess the degree of craft standardization. The case study is the Late Chalcolithic pottery from Arslantepe in eastern Anatolia, ideal to test the standardization hypothesis, i.e. the assumed correspondence between craft standardization and increased rates of production, which in turn correlate with economic specialization. The results suggest that the procurement and processing of raw materials are more sensible indicators of standardization than vessel shape variability. Higher standardization is connected with the scale of production rather than with the use of the wheel or its rotational speed. The socio-economic centralization marks a process of labor division within the operational sequence and, more generally, a shift from communal to more segregated potting practices. As a result, the variability of both technical procedures and end products increases. In contrast univocal trends towards standardization can be found in coeval contexts from northern Mesopotamia, where the incipient urbanization served to create bonds between vessel makers, favoring the transmission of models and practices regardless of the centralized power.