Field Studies of the Socio-Economic Heterogenity of the Territory of Rural Settlements of the Stavropol Krai

The article presents the results of a study of rural settlements in Stavropol Krai, conducted in July 2023 to identify the socio-economic heterogeneity of their territory. This heterogeneity was assessed using visual indicators of quality of life. The methodology developed for this study, which involves collecting and processing route observation data using geoinformation technologies, is described. During the fieldwork along the routes, the type and quality of housing stock, the condition of the road and street network, the provision of public infrastructure and communications, and landscaping were assessed. Additional indicators were used, such as the brands and age of personal cars, the appearance of local residents, and the condition of homestead plots. Furthermore, the state of the residential real estate market was assessed. During the processing of the obtained characteristics, element-wise and integral estimates of the differentiation of the intra-settlement territory by route points were obtained and plotted on generalised route profiles for visualisation. An attempt was made to explain the nature and level of differences in the quality of life across the territory of rural settlements by considering differences in geographical location, population, administrative status, functions, and specialisation. It was found that the most pronounced contrasts in the quality of life and the level of territorial improvement are characteristic of dynamically developing villages in the suburban area of Stavropol. In the district centres, which have a higher overall standard of living, the socio-economic environment is more homogeneous. Settlements without administrative status and located far from the regional centre are characterised by lower values for quality of life parameters. The influence of the ethnic and confessional composition of the population on the differences in the quality of life is also noted.