SOCIO-ECONOMIC STRUCTURE OF SMALL AND MIDDLE-SIZED CITIES OF VOLGOGRAD REGION: EXPERIENCE OF SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Spatial analysis of socio-economic structure of small and middle towns of Volgograd region that includes assessment of social, natural and environmental, and production subsystems of municipal economy is performed based on statistical data for 2012. Based on examination of the potential of the towns economic development (PED), economic activity (EA) and urban population life quality (QL) it was determined that the specificity of small and middle towns of Volgograd region consists in maintained stable prevailing of their industrial functions. Due to execution of ‘capital’ functions by small and middle towns relative to adjacent rural areas and increased trend of development of services and social infrastructure, it is required to forecast the growing value of small and middle towns as regional centers of cultural and business life of Volgograd region.

Volgograd region, small city, middle sized city, socio-economic structure, economic development potential, economic activity, quality of life, spatial analysis, geographic information system, subsystems of municipal economy