Transformation of the Ethno-Cultural Space

Татьяна Герасименко
Transformation of the Ethno-Cultural Space of Post-Soviet Trans-Border Regions
Tatiana GERASIMENKO (Russian Federation)// International Geographical Union Regional Conference "GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY FOR OUR FUTURE EARTH". 17-21 August 2015, Moscow, Russia. P.791




This presentation is devoted to characteristic aspects of the externally enfluenced transformation of
ethno-cultural space of the post-soviet trans-bordier regions. Orenburg region we will use as an example
to illustrate changes that followed this new formation. The Orenburg region is a part of the Orenburg-
Kazakhstan transborder region. The region has become like this as a result of post-Soviet delimitation
of frontiers.Our research is concentrated on characteristic aspects of externally influenced transformation
of space for the Orenburg-Kazakhstan region in retrospective, in the present and future periods. The space
has been formed and developed as a uniform ecological, ethno-cultural and economic area for a long
time. Now they manifest more and more differences. Orography, climate, hydrological regime, landscapes
affect the settlement system and ekistics features that determine the choice of the place of settlement,
the range of building materials, layout, character of development. However, in Kazakhstan there appeared
dispersed settlements, reflecting the ongoing economic changes (the development of farming, distantpasture
cattle). In some ways this is a return to their former way of life. We see economic divergence.
There are different tax systems. This creates difficulties for the creation and registration of foreign and joint
companies. There are different prices for the same goods and services. In neighboring countries laws are
different. Although previous uniform legal space is broken, there are 100 companies with participation
of the Kazakhstan capital in the region. The territorial structure of the regional geographical space has
been transformed. Modern realities call for new ways of development. The proximity of borders and
traditional contacts with Kazakhstan should be used. Growth of economic globalization and integration,
geopolitical priorities, establishment of the Customs Union of Russia, major international infrastructure
projects, geopolitical orientation of external trade of Kazakhstan increase the significance of the crossborder
provisions.