Socio-economic development of coastal municipal areas of the white sea region

Abstract

The article presents the analysis results of socio-economic development of the White Sea coastal municipalities from the standpoint of sustainable development and in the context of blue economy. The White Sea coastal municipal areas enter different subjects of the North-West Federal District of Russia and belong to the Russian Arctic zone. The subject of the study is socio-economic processes taking place in the White Sea coastal municipalities. The aim of this work is to identify trends in socio-ecological and economic development of the White Sea coastal municipal areas in the context of blue growth and to elaborate recommendations for the formation an inclusive management system for their development. The statistical data published by the Federal State Statistic Service (Rosstat) and reflecting the development of municipalities in the three interrelated areas of sustainable development are analyzed. The destructive tendencies occurring in the social, economic and environmental sphere of coastal territories are reveled and described: Depopulation, decrease in economic activity, and environmental load. Models are developed that reflect migration processes taking place in coastal municipal formations within the period 1989—2017. The economic development of coastal municipal formations is associated with the availability and accessibility of natural resources. In some municipal districts, the main types of economic activity are those related to the livelihoods of the population. There is a decrease in quality of economic space due to a reduction in the number of working-age people. The digital space of coastal settlements is forming slowly. Against the background of destructive processes in economic sphere, the eco-intensity of emissions decreases. The authors propose recommendations on shaping of a regular institutional environment and overcoming depopulation processes, and suggest directions for the economy diversification of coastal territories. The authors consider it necessary to strengthen inter-municipal cooperation and coordination of management decisions for achieving sustainable development goals in the White Sea region. The realization of the long-term potential of the blue economy in the sphere of employment, economic activity and environmental responsibility is possible if socio-ecological and economic aspects of managing the White Sea region are coordinated and the authorities at all government levels work systematically along the direction.