Cartographic interpretation of the role of small towns as elements of settlement system in the European North of Russia

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-25-41

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Irina V. Kondratieva

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: irina.v.kondratieva@gmail.com

Elena A. Prokhorova

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: eaprohorova@mail.ru

Abstract

The article focuses on the role of small towns (with a population of less than 50 thous. people) in the European North of Russia using new approaches to their mapping and analysis. Particular attention is given to the selection and visualization of underused characteristics for the analysis of the settlement system. An integral indicator of the significance of each city is calculated based on population, administrative significance, building density, availability of transport infrastructure, and mutual distances between towns. This made the reflection of the heterogeneity of the settlement system possible through the characteristics of the differences in the development of towns, as well as its structure. The study identifies specific trends in population dynamics, including various patterns of population decline. Among the small towns, key centers of influence on nearby settlements such as Sortavala, Naryan-Mar, and others are identified. A graphical representation of the structure of the urban system and the organization of their hierarchy allowed to clearly show the insufficient development of large territories, enabled a more accurate understanding of inter-town influences and territorial development, particularly in cases where these influences come not only from formal regional centers but also from smaller settlements with relatively well-developed infrastructure. Cartographic visualization revealed the sparseness and linear organization of the settlement system, as well as low integration between regions. Original thematic maps were created, which characterized the degree of territorial development, its level of urbanization, and the types of small towns according to population dynamics. The article emphasizes the need for further study of small towns for the sustainable development of the European North of Russia.

Keywords

European North of Russia, small towns, settlement system, population mapping, urbanization

References

  1. Chernysh M.F., Markin V.V., Ardalyanova A.Yu., Vinokurova A.V., Voronov V.V., Voropaeva A.V., Egorov V.K., Epikhina Yu.B., Zaborova E.N., Zubok Yu.A., Kinsbursky A.V., Kleimenov M.V., Kozlovsky V.V., Korosteleva L.Yu., Kukonkov P.I., Ledeneva V.Yu., Maykova E.Yu., Malyshev M.L., Ricceri M., Markov E.M., Morozova N.M., Patsiorkovsky V.V., Peshkova V.M., Truba A.S., Fontana R., Rogovaya A.V., Ruzha O.P., Silin A.N., Simonova E.V., Ustinkin S.V., Chumikov A.N., Chuprov V.I., Yudashkin V.A. Spatial Development of Small Towns: Social Strategies and Practices. Moscow: Federal Research Sociological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2020. 523 p. (in Russian).
  2. Dijkstra L., Florczyk A., Freire S., Kemper T., Melchiorri M., Pesaresi M., Schiavina M. Applying the Degree of Urbanisation to the Globe: A New Harmonised Definition Reveals a Different Picture of Global Urbanization. Journal of Urban Economics, 2021. No. 125. P. 3–16. DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2020.103312.
  3. Efimova E.A. Regional Aspects of Urbanization in Russia. Regional Economics: Theory and Practice, 2014. No. 43 (370). P. 2–12 (in Russian).
  4. Griffith D. The United States Urban Hierarchy: An Update. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 2022. No. 4. P. 1–20. DOI: 10.3389/frsc.2022.852090.
  5. Huskey L., Morehouse T. Development in Remote Regions: What Do We Know? Arctic, 1992. No. 45. DOI: 10.14430/arctic1384.
  6. Istomina E.G. European North: Regional Approach. Russian History, 2009. No. 3. P. 15–27 (in Russian).
  7. Lazhentsev V.N. Socio-Economic Space and Territorial Development of the North and the Arctic of Russia. Economy of Regions, 2018. No. 2. P. 353–365 (in Russian). DOI: 10.17059/2018-2-2.
  8. Polyan P.M. Territorial Structures—Urbanization—Settlement: Theoretical Approaches and Methods of Study. Moscow: New Chronograph, 2014. 785 p. (in Russian).
  9. Smirnyagin L.V. Zoning of Society: Methodology and Algorithms. Social Geography: Diversity and Unity. Moscow: Geographical Faculty of Lomonosov State University, 2011. P. 55–82 (in Russian).
  10. Tacoli C. Measuring Small Towns—Why Definitions Matter? International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), 2024. Web resource: https://www.iied.org/measuring-small-towns-why-definitions-matter (accessed 02.06.2025).
  11. Zamyatina N.Yu. Northern City-Base: its Special Features and Potential for the Arctic Development. Arctic: Ecology and Economy, 2020. No. 2 (38). P. 4–17 (in Russian). DOI: 10.25283/2223-4594-2020-2-4-17.

For citation: Kondratieva I.V., Prokhorova E.A. Cartographic interpretation of the role of small towns as elements of settlement system in the European North of Russia. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 3. P. 25–41. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-25-41 (in Russian)