Batunova E.

Goal. The aim of this research is to investigate how the phenomenon of shrinkage is understood in the most affected areas, such as mining cities, so-called one company towns, in Southern Russia and what kind of responses addressing the issue have been developed in special programs, strategic plans and plans of territorial development. Methods. For the analysis of demographic trends in Southern Russia the data from the Federal Statistic Service was used: the results of the three censuses of 1989, 2002 and 2010, but also the annual statistic. The data on economic development was analyzed through the indicators presented in the statistical database, in programming documents and media sources. Federal, regional and municipal programs related to demographic and economic decline, as well as strategic and territorial plans of the Rostov region and municipality, were analyzed in order to find special responses to the shrinkage issue. Results. The research has shown the stability of depopulation trends in the municipality of Zverevo and Rostov region, the lack of awareness of causes and consequences of urban shrinkage among policy makers and planners and, accordingly, the absence or inadequacy of the responses to the shrinkage challenge in the strategic documents. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the paper is in the results obtained through a framework of content anal-ysis of municipal and regional strategic documents developed for the municipality of Zverevo in terms of consideration of the shrinkage issue. The research aimed to verify the intention to develop the planning documents according to a par-adigm of growth despite the actual population and economic decline.

Goal. The aim of this research is to shed light on the negative outcomes of excessive land privatization and development in the post-Soviet transition period in traditional resort areas. It will specifically examine the case of the Northern Caucasus area where the main challenge today is to find ways of restoring a sense of common good through the revision of existing planning laws and regulations. The paper also tries to explore the chances of reinstating to a certain extent some of the state’s role as main regulator and guarantor of the public domain. Methods. The case was investigated using face to face interviews with local and regional authorities, property owners, and visitors to the Dombay resort. It was also performed through field visits in addition to analyzing satellite images, cadastral maps and property registry. The research was also based on a thorough understanding of the exiting Russian land and planning laws. Results. The investigation has shown that the lack of public spaces significantly reduces the quality of the urban environment, the attractiveness of resorts and, consequently, the value of land. Finding tangible solutions requires joint efforts at various levels of government including the amendment of existing legislations on urban planning and land use and the development of various forms of public-private partnerships, which means the need to reassert the state's role in regulating urban development. Scientific novelty. The paper shows connection of land use and urban environment’s quality that has significant influence on place’s touristic attractiveness. At the same time, this fact is not recognized by authorities and is not used in local policies. The survey showed a necessity to shift attention to long-term vision in constructing of municipal economic benefits and interrelation between different levels of governance.