THE SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF MILK PRODUCTION IN THE MOSCOW REGION AND WAYS OF IMPROVING IT

Ways of improving the locational pattern of milk production and processing facilities in Moscow Oblast are investigated in order to: (a) reduce the volume of long-distance whole milk imports during winter; (b) increase the size of the dairy herd in the Moscow Region, especially in the west, through more effective utilization of natural pasture and cultivated fodder; and (c) promote a shift in animal husbandry toward dairy stock in areas fringing the capital. Milk processing facilities are compared in terms of production capacity, direct sales versus shipments to higher-order processors, and percentage of output consumed within the oblast and by Moscow (translated by Andrew R. Bond).     

THE NATURE OF THE MANPOWER PROBLEM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SIBERIA

The traditional picture of the economic development in Siberia presents a formidable obstacle in the form of a manpower deficit and high labor turnover. The official policy to combat this problem has been to give priority to the development of social and cultural amenities. Substantial changes in wage differentials and other economic and non-economic benefits seem to be a measure of the past. This article presents an overview of the situation and suggests that if any public policy is to be effective, it has to combine accelerated development in the social and cultural spheres and economic and noneconomic benefits as well. Furthermore, these measures have to be more differentiated regionally and among worker categories. Any such policy would require massive investment. The question is whether Soviet society can bear this huge burden in view of more immediate needs. Another question is whether the additional investment required would be compensated by a comparable increase in the productivity of labor. In view of substantial cost increases, capital productivity is likely to decline if not compensated by a change in the calculated prices on Siberian products, especially oil and gas, which seems doubtful in view of the present international situation.     

ANALYSIS OF SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS IN A MOUNTAIN REGION

In a continuing study of settlement systems using space imagery and aerial photography, systems of settlement and central places are analyzed on the basis of the intensity of transport movements between places. Central places are assigned to different categories according to the patterns of transport linkages in their tributary areas. Relationships between the maximum extent of zones of influence and the population of central places are discussed. The concept of developmental phase of a settlement system is introduced. For previous articles by the author, see S.G., Jan. 1975 and Oct. 1976. [The study area, though not identified, is in the Altay Mountains.]     

ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHIC PROBLEMS OF SETTLEMENT IN THE KMA

A paper devoted to demographic and labor-related issues in the development of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly focuses on the need to improve labor productivity and services provision (particularly health care) in emerging industrial nodes of the complex. Such measures are expected both to promote labor retention and reduce labor inputs necessary to achieve the same amount of work. A key element of future labor strategy, given current low levels of natural increase within the region, is the recruitment and retention of labor from outside the region and the planned development of settlement to reduce negative environmental impacts (translated by Andrew R. Bond).     

A MICROGEOGRAPHY OF SETTLEMENT IN THE PAMIR HIGHLANDS

Settlement patterns in the Pamir highlands, the “roof of the world,” adjoining Afghanistan, offer a striking contrast between the western deep valleys inhabited by sedentary Pamir ethnic groups related to the Tadzhiks, and the eastern plateau-like highland with a sparse population of nomadic Kirghiz herders. The evolution of Pamir settlement during the Soviet period is analyzed, and recommendations are offered for the removal of remote small places from high elevations and for the merger of settlements into more viable population centers. (Data for the mid-1960s have been partly updated by the Editor to the mid-1980s.)     

WOOL REMAINS FROM SCYTHIAN BURIALS IN SIBERIA

Summary. Eight carpet or textile yarns and six felt samples from the frozen burials dated c. 400 B. C. at Pazyryk and Bashadar were studied. One sample was identified as underwool from a non-fleeced 'hair' sheep (Neolithic survival). Five samples were of the most primitive fleece type, the hairy medium wool, and five of the next most primitive type, the generalised medium wool (both emerged in the Bronze Age). There was one hairy sheep and, as found at Hallstatt, there were two semi-fine fleeces (shortwools). The last two types developed in the Iron Age.     

川西藏区 那些以“鸡”为名的濒危鸟儿

<正>我们这次要探寻的鸟儿,在那遥远的川西藏区甘孜……甘孜藏族自治州,位于青藏高原东南缘,四川省的西北部,是康巴藏区的主要组成部分,也是四川最大的藏区。     

OBTAINING STABLE GRAIN YIELDS IN SIBERIA AND KAZAKHSTAN

article examines the relationship between year-to-year variability in average grain yields, moisture conditions, and the quasi-two-year precipitation cycle for a number of oblasts in West Siberia and northern Kazakhstan. The potential for obtaining stable grain yields for the region as a whole is based to a considerable degree on differences in atmospheric moisture in June and July between northern Kazakhstan, on the one hand, and in West Siberia, on the other: a harvest shortfall in some oblasts may be compensated by abundant harvests in others (translated by Jay K. Mitchell, Plan-Econ, Inc., Washington, DC 20005).     

SOCIAL-GEOGRAPHIC PROBLEMS IN THE REGULATION OF SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS IN A DEVELOPED SOCIALIST SOCIETY

An analysis of the impact of social development on forms of settlement and of the reverse impact of settlement forms on social processes. The author challenges the view that spatial forms have no bearing on social processes. The point is made by tabulating types of social contacts at various spatial levels and for different forms of settlement, from household to large urban agglomeration. The significance of information flows at different spatial levels is discussed. Large cities are found to have potential for the development of material and spiritual benefits that are lacking in smaller places. But since an integrated economy also requires smaller forms of settlement, ways must be found to provide a minimum set of material and cultural services at the lower level as well. Recommendations for raising the level of living in smaller Soviet populated places are offered.     

SETTLEMENT IN EXURBAN/SUBURBAN ZONES: CHARACTERISTICS OF SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

The authors survey settlement in suburban zones of major cities as an important component of spatial and socioeconomic planning of settlement systems. “Inner” and “outer” suburban zones are identified—the former on the fringes of the built-up area of an agglomeration and the latter comprising exurban sites in oblasts adjoining the agglomeration. The substantial desire for and widespread use of second homes by city dwellers, particularly near sites of collective gardening, is viewed as a key component to be incorporated into future planning as a tool for regulating the influx of urbanites into the countryside (translated by H. L. Haslett, Leamington Spa, UK).     

THE POPULATION DYNAMICS OF EAST SIBERIA AND PROBLEMS OF PREDICTION

A review of population trends in the USSR and in East Siberia suggests that net in-migration will become a negligible source of labor over the next 25 years until the year 2000 because past labor surpluses no longer exist in the western regions of the Soviet Union and because living conditions in the eastern regions are inferior to conditions in the west. East Siberia will therefore have to depend increasingly on the regional rate of natural increase. The region's population is expected to grow from 8 million in 1970 to 10–12 million by the year 2000. The slow predicted growth of population is not expected to become a constraint on the region's economic development because of rising labor productivity and a regional emphasis on energy-intensive and raw-material-oriented industries rather than labor-intensive activities.     

SOME DATA ON CHANGES IN TRANSPORT ACCESSIBILITY OF EAST SIBERIA AND THE SOVIET FAR EAST IN CONNECTION WITH CONSTRUCTION OF THE BAM

The impact of the Baikal-Amur Mainline on accessibility to resource sites in East Siberia and the Soviet Far East is measured. At the present time, a little more than one-half of the developed southern portion of the region lies within 200 km of the Trans-Siberian. As a result of the construction of the BAM, nearly 75 percent of the area will be within 200 km of the nearest railroad. The gains in distance to the nearest railroad are mapped, and show a maximum gain (of 420–450 km) in an area northeast of the northern tip of Lake Baikal. Although the BAM, because of difficult terrain, is still distinguished by a high coefficient of sinuosity (compared with the great-circle distance), it does represent a gain over the present distance from the Pacific coast to points west of Lake Baikal.     

NEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN CENTRAL GERMANY

Summary. This paper investigates the changes in settlement patterns characteristic of early agricultural groups in the Middle Elbe/Saale region (DDR) from the fifth to the beginning of the second millennium bc. It uses the outstanding quantity of information available from this region on the distribution of prehistoric sites to describe the structure of settlement and to define the main contrasts over this period.