Problems of Spatial Development of Cross-Border Regions

   The unbalanced development of the Russian Federation territory and regional development imbalances bring the problems of spatial development of cross-border regions to a new level. Inattention to these issues generates spontaneous spatial development.

   The aim of the article is to analyze the current topical problems of spatial development of cross-border regions.

   The reliability of the results is based on the methods of theoretical analysis of scientific literature presented by publications of domestic and foreign researchers. Comparative analysis allowed us to determine the features of the spatial development of individual foreign cross-border regions. As a result, the essence of “cross-border region” concept is clarified, its features are defined, allowing it to be characterized as a model of socio-economic and institutional space and an object of spatial development.

   The high role of stable ties and relations, both formal and non-formal, forming the space of a cross-border region and stimulating its spatial development is emphasized.

   Such interactions are not always covered by the regulatory regime. It is emphasized that the institutional space and supporting institutions of neighboring states are of particular importance for the functioning of a cross-border region. It was found out that due to new technologies, forms of cross-border interaction have undergone evolution and diversification. The methods of studying the spatial development of a transboundary region are systematized as well as certain patterns of spatial development of cross-border regions are determined based on the analysis of examples. The position that the development of cross-border regions is contradictory is substantiated. The actual problems of spatial development of cross-border regions (conceptual, theoretical, applied) are analyzed on the examples of Russian reality.

   The research allows concluding that the leading principles of studying spatial development are complex and differentiated approaches.

   The analysis shows that the studied problem is distinguished by a significant number of opinions about the subject of the study, which complicates the understanding of the patterns of spatial development of cross-border regions, approaches to their study. The authors associate the prospects for further research with the search for catalysts for spatial development of territories.

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