пространственное развитие,
периферийность,
сельские территории,
региональная политика,
Волгоградская область,
Южный федеральный округ,
дифференциация,
сельские агломерации,
инфраструктура
Abstract
Introduction. The article examines the theoretical and methodological aspects of spatial polarization and overcoming rural peripherality in the context of regional policy. The relevance is due to the steady trend of population concentration and economic activity in regional centers and suburban areas of the Southern Federal District, while the degradation of remote rural settlements. The purpose of the work is to identify the main factors of spatial polarization of rural areas using the example of the Volgograd Region and other regions of the Southern Federal District and substantiate the mechanisms of their inclusive development. Methods. The research is based on methods of systematic, comparative and statistical analysis using official data from Federal State Statistics Service, regional policy documents and the results of scientific research by Russian authors. A typological approach is applied to the differentiation of municipal districts according to the level of socio-economic development. Analysis. The analysis of the dynamics of the rural population in the regions of the Southern Federal District is carried out with an emphasis on the Volgograd region as a region with a pronounced polarization of rural space. The key indicators characterizing the degree of peripherality have been identified: transport accessibility, population density, the level of development of social and engineering infrastructure, and the state of the labor market. It is shown that the existing state support measures do not fully take into account intraregional differentiation, which reduces their effectiveness. Based on the analysis of successful practices, a three-level model of adaptive regional policy is proposed, focused on differentiated support for rural areas depending on their type. Results. The criteria for classifying rural territories into various types (basic, stable, and depressed) are systematized. The directions of improving regional policy are substantiated: the formation of rural agglomerations as «growth points», program-oriented support for depressed areas, the development of inter-municipal cooperation and digital infrastructure. The author's scheme of the spatial alignment mechanism is proposed, integrating the tools of initiative budgeting and integrated rural development programs. The conclusions can be used to adjust regional spatial development strategies of the Southern Federal District subjects.
