Genetic Approach to Assessing the Infrastructure Coherence of an Industrial Region

Abstract

In the context of external shocks, socio-economic coherence of an industrial region reflects its ability to function successfully. Many researchers examine economic space, focusing on interaction between entities (including infrastructure) while ignoring territorial boundaries. However, it is necessary to consider a region’s endogenous core, whose historically connected elements generate evolutionary changes under the influence of external factors. This study develops tools to assess regional infrastructure coherence, taking into account the endogenous determinants of its socio-economic development. The research methodology includes: a comparison of absolute and relative territorial characteristics and infrastructure development parameters; statistical, economic and mathematical methods for determining and evaluating the resulting indicators; an expert assessment of the infrastructure potential; a matrix method for identifying the depth of infrastructure gaps. An analysis of Sverdlovsk oblast and neighbouring regions revealed infrastructure gaps of the first level of depth (insignificant, significant, stably significant), violating the integrity of the regional core, as well as gaps of the second level of depth (forming, potentially forming), requiring serious transformations of the core elements. The con ducted research determined the infrastructure coherence characteristics of the regional core. Thus, the most favourable situation is in Sverdlovsk oblast, whose core has strong integrity. The most unfavourable situation is observed in Perm Krai and Khanty- Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Perm Krai’s core is characterised by minor gaps of the first level of depth and potential second level gaps. In Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, significant first level gaps are already established, while second level gaps are still forming. This situation occurred due to the industrial specificity of these regions, as well as the discrepancy between high economic activity (increasing the demand for transport services) and infrastructure development. Further research will focus on the ways to improve the regional connectivity at the intra- and inter-regional levels.

Differentiation of Infrastructure Provision of Russian Regions

“…Recently, among the necessary conditions that contribute to sustainable regional development, the provision of regions with an effectively functioning infrastructure has been increasingly singled out [1][2][3][4]. The dominant role of infrastructural provision in the socio-economic development of regions is noted by the majority of specialists dealing with regional development issues [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. According to the researchers, the increase in the infrastructure provision of the regions contributes not only to the development of industrial production and the growth of GRP, but also to an increase in the level of employment and the quality of life of the population [1,3,4,5,7,8].…”

“…The dominant role of infrastructural provision in the socio-economic development of regions is noted by the majority of specialists dealing with regional development issues [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. According to the researchers, the increase in the infrastructure provision of the regions contributes not only to the development of industrial production and the growth of GRP, but also to an increase in the level of employment and the quality of life of the population [1,3,4,5,7,8]. The regional infrastructure is a complex organizational and economic system, within which the corresponding elements of different species orientations are distinguished [8].…”

Ranking of transport network development projects in the Sverdlovsk railroad area based on fuzzy logic

“…The result of this work was the development of tools to justify the strategic development of the railway system, to assess the possible interaction between the economy and the railway transport. The work (Myslyakova, 2021) notes that for the effective operation of an industrial region during significant external shocks, it is important to determine the connectivity of the region as an indicator of the integrity of socio-economic relations, taking into account the peculiarities of infrastructural inter-subject interaction.…”