Principles of a Methodology for Evaluating Living Conditions of a Population under Different Geographic Surroundings

The author develops a methodology for measuring the extra cost involved in settling people under unfavorable geographical conditions. He distinguishes the engineering-cost differential of buildings, roads, utilities, etc., and the “residual effect” of unfavorable geographical conditions which continues to inconvenience the population even after partial compensation by engineering means. While the engineering-cost differential can be relatively easily measured in ruble terms, the residual effect is less easily converted into actual costs. The author looks toward compilation of a map of the cost differentials of human settlement.