Methodological approach to analyzing socio-demographic factors of developing the framework of settlement pattern[Методический Подход К Анализу Социально-Демографических Факторов Формирования Опорного Каркаса Расселения]

Introduction. The settlement system is represented by settlements, each of which has certain socio-demographic characteristics. The change in these characteristics determines the dynamics and prospects for the entire settlement system development. Materials and methods. The settlement system, exemplified by the Republic of Chuvashia, was analyzed. A database, characterizing socio-demographic state of Chuvashia settlements was formed. The study revealed that the settlement system of the Republic is a two-level one and is represented by the Cheboksary agglomeration and a network of settlements that are not part of it. A methodical approach to analyzing factors of the “framework of settlement pattern” development is proposed. It consists of an assessment of demographic processes at the level of regional settlements with their classification according to the rate of population growth or decline, as well as availability and quality of social infrastructure facilities, defining the level and quality of life in the given settlements, which together makes it possible to determine the prospects for their development. These socio-demographic factors were analyzed for the period of 2010‒2020. Results. “The demographic dynamics analysis” of the settlements of Chuvashia showed that in 76% of all settlements of the Republic the population is decreasing. A pattern is traced: an increase in the population in relatively large settlements and a decrease in smaller ones. The most positive dynamics is concentrated in the Cheboksary agglomeration and its periphery. The transformation of the settlement system can be described as “social aggregation of the population”, which occurs as a result of an objectively higher quality of life and a strong economy in larger settlements. The analysis is illustrated with a cartogram. The proposed methodological approach involves the analysis of the population provision with social infrastructure in eight groups of indicators, determining its availability, quality state and spatial distribution in settlements. Each section is illustrated with a diagram. According to the population size and the atomized nature of the settlement system, the infrastructure provision of Chuvashia is assessed as high and in some cases, excessive. Discussion. The socio-demographic factors can be used to analyze the settlement system and to develop a “framework of settlement pattern”. The method of the “framework of settlement pattern” analysis presented in the article, based on the example of the Republic of Chuvashia, can serve as a tool for making informed management decisions about the priorities development to finance and modernize the nodal points. This approach will allow for a situation of “managed compression” and provide the vast majority of the regional population with high-quality social services.