Approaches to definition and allocation of depressive territories: Economic and geographical aspect

Abstract

The study of the spatial development of territories is one of the pressing tasks of social geography of the XX—XXI centuries. In the era of modern globalization and transformation of the world economy, strengthening of agglomeration effects and concentration of economic forces and population in a small number of centers, the problem of development, recovery and revival of depressed and peripheral territories is of particular importance. The purpose of this article is to conduct a critical analysis of the concept of “depressive territory” and concepts close in meaning to it, to identify criteria and approaches to the allocation of such territories, to note measures to overcome the socio-economic depression of the territory. The study showed that depressed territories were formed under the leading role of economic factors (economic crises, reforms), while they are not able to independently get out of the current situation without targeted state support. Such similar definitions as “marginal territory” and “marginalization”, “periphery” and “peripheralization”, “abandoned places”, “polarization” are analyzed. The author, based on domestic and foreign works, as well as personal approach, identified six main approaches to identifying depressed territories: production, social, financial, demog­raphic, environmental, subjective. A system of indicators characterizing a depressed territory in accor­dance with the identified approaches is proposed. Measures to overcome socio-economic depression and possible ways of improving and reviving these territories are noted.