Urban Settlements of the Russian-Belarusian Border Area: The Main Trends in Population Dynamics in the XXI Century

Aim. To identify the main trends in the population dynamics of urban settlements of the Russian-Belarusian border area in the 21 st century to optimize regional policy based on the most sustainable urban centers. Methodology. Based on the data of current accounting and censuses, the dynamics of the population of cities and urban-type settlements of the border regions of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, depending on their population, administrative status and geographical location, is considered. The methods of spatial analysis were used in the work, the grouping of small urban settlements by population and the typology by functional and hierarchical significance were given. Results. It has been revealed that large urban settlements (with a population of more than 100 thousand people), regional centers, districts centers and centers of intra-regional border regions, which usually differ in significant sizes (mainly large and medium-sized cities), have an administrative status and an advantageous geographical location, are developing most steadily. Research implications. The results obtained indicate that the processes of regionalization are actively underway in the Russian-Belarusian border area. Historically formed intra-regional regions are developing as life support systems for their largest urban centers – regionopolises. Intra-regional regions can be used as a basis for optimizing regional policy in the border area of Russia and Belarus. On the basis of the accelerated development of regionopolises, it is possible to activate the development of the entire system of urban settlements of the Russian-Belarusian border area.