The North-Arctic Territories of the Far East: Influence of Infrastructure Factors on the Transformation of the Region’s Spatial Development

Abstract

The complex influence of infrastructure factors on the transformation of spatial development of various regions, including the North-Arctic, is very important but understudied. Theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of infrastructure do not correspond to its backbone nature and role in economic development. The paper aims to identify characteristics and causes of the ongoing spatial and economic transformations and determine their influence on socio-economic development and formation of integrated economic structures of Northern and Arctic territories. The research considers both the classic Arctic regions and high-latitude Far North regions, which are closely integrated in natural, ecological and socio-economic terms. To this end, theories of spatial economics, infrastructure and system-evolutionary analysis, as well as the authors’ relevant theoretical and methodological approaches are utilised. Additionally, the paper uses a hypothetical approach and indirect assessment methods based on the analysis of strategic studies and documents on the long-term development of the studied territories. As a result, the peculiarities of the ongoing transformations in this zone were revealed, associated with the advanced development of exogenous elements of critical infrastructure and formation of a special Northeastern mesoregion. This new integrated formation is an intermediate, median structure between the primary North-Arctic territories (microregions) and the Far East macroregion. This formation can significantly strengthen the economic and geostrategic stability of these regions in a fairly short time. It is necessary to further study the described problem based on interdisciplinary research within the framework of a target scientific and applied programme with the participation of natural and social science experts.