The depopulation process in Lithuania is rapid, and the gap between the centre and periphery in the country is increasing, which allows one region to grow and others to ‘fight’ for survival. The main demographic indicators show... more
The depopulation process in Lithuania is rapid, and the gap between the centre and periphery in the country is increasing, which allows one region to grow and others to ‘fight’ for survival. The main demographic indicators show particularly unfavourable trends in sparsely populated territories (SPTs) and deviate markedly from the countrywide average. To confirm these statements, this study presents the changes in the demographic and socioeconomic situation in Lithuania during the period of restored independence. The authors place special emphasis on rural SPTs of the country, and use statistical data as the main instrument to present the tendencies of sociospatial development. The analysis shows that Lithuania is experiencing territorial polarisation, with the greatest gap being between the major cities and the regions in Southern and North-Eastern Lithuania. Additionally, the results indicate that in the meantime, the western and central regions became the ‘generators’ of demographic and socioeconomic problems due to increasing depopulation. The sharpest results of depopulation are the decline of social networks and, simultaneously, the growing number of social problems. This situation increases residents’ social and territorial exclusion, meaning that institutions are receding from those who remain in rural peripheral regions, leaving them to fight the consequences of peripheralisation alone without any clear regional policy strategies.
Research Interests: Social Demography, Geography, Human Geography, Demography, Statistics, and 15 moreSocial Sciences, Spatial Analysis, Spatial Modeling, Applied Statistics, Rural Development, Regional development, Spatial Statistics, Urban And Regional Planning, Rural Planning and Development, City and Regional Planning, Demographics, Spatial planning, Spatial demography, Lithuania, and Social Science
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lithuania has been struggling with rapidly increasing centre–periphery polarization. There has been a growth in major cities and a significant decline in peripheral rural territories. The ongoing... more
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lithuania has been struggling with rapidly increasing centre–periphery polarization. There has been a growth in major cities and a significant decline in peripheral rural territories. The ongoing peripheralization is deepening the gap between centre and periphery. This paper introduces a peripheral region determination model, whilst highlighting that this complex geographical issue combines location, demographic, social, economic, cultural, political and natural factors. By analyzing the case of Lithuania using 1992–2012 data at the LAU-1 region level, the study reveals a polarized picture of the country and highlights the factors influencing peripherality in different regions.
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The collapse of the Soviet utopian world, where the government sought to plan and control economic and social processes, caused a wave of significant changes in the post-socialist countries. The territorial regrouping of citizens is one... more
The collapse of the Soviet utopian world, where the government sought to plan and control economic and social processes, caused a wave of significant changes in the post-socialist countries. The territorial regrouping of citizens is one of the hard to control changes that started at the end of the 1990s in Lithuania. This article identifies the major changes in the settlement system in Lithuania and its effects on peripheral areas. The main scope of this article is an analysis of the potential of residents from peripheral areas to adapt to the rapidly changing socioeconomic environment. For the analysis, we used data and information gathered during field trips to peripheral rural areas throughout the country between 2013 and 2014. This study found that the residents who remained in peripheral areas had several opportunities in rapidly changing environment after Lithuania gained its Independence in 1990. Interviews with local authorities allowed us to define three groups of residents and their potential to adapt to the labour market: those who are active, those who are passive and those who choose social benefits instead of a work salary. The survey results allowed us to predict that the 'central-peripheral' spatial structure will be one of the main factors influencing regional development in Lithuania in the near future.
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This article describes the main trends in the changes to the system of rural settlements in Lithuania and determines the regional peculiarities of these changes. The analysis was carried out using data collected during the censuses of... more
This article describes the main trends in the changes to the system of rural settlements in Lithuania and determines the
regional peculiarities of these changes. The analysis was carried out using data collected during the censuses of 2001 and
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sis showed that the population decreased in the majority of settlements independently of their size. However, distinct regional
collected from the peripheral areas located further from cities or roads of regional importance. The survey showed that the
north-eastern and southern parts of Lithuania are depopulated most, whereas in the western part of the country the number
of residents was stable until 2000, and only in the 21st century did it start to decrease due to the increasing emigration rates.
Also, the analysis of the structure of settlements allowed us to point out the historical circumstances as the cause of regional
differences. In the north-eastern part of Lithuania the settlements are smaller than in the western part of Lithuania. The analysis
shows that the increasing importance of the centre-periphery factor will further determine the decline of rural settlements
in peripheral territories in Lithuania.
regional peculiarities of these changes. The analysis was carried out using data collected during the censuses of 2001 and
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sis showed that the population decreased in the majority of settlements independently of their size. However, distinct regional
collected from the peripheral areas located further from cities or roads of regional importance. The survey showed that the
north-eastern and southern parts of Lithuania are depopulated most, whereas in the western part of the country the number
of residents was stable until 2000, and only in the 21st century did it start to decrease due to the increasing emigration rates.
Also, the analysis of the structure of settlements allowed us to point out the historical circumstances as the cause of regional
differences. In the north-eastern part of Lithuania the settlements are smaller than in the western part of Lithuania. The analysis
shows that the increasing importance of the centre-periphery factor will further determine the decline of rural settlements
in peripheral territories in Lithuania.
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This article pays attentions to the rural population and rural settlement’s system regional changes during the period since 2001 till 2011. The analysis is based on the 2001 and 2011 population and houses census data provided by... more
This article pays attentions to the rural population and rural settlement’s system
regional changes during the period since 2001 till 2011. The analysis is based on the 2001
and 2011 population and houses census data provided by Statistics Lithuania. The performed
analysis revealed that the number of population decreased in the majority of settlements
independently on their size. However, the distinct regional changes could be stressed.
Besides, it was estimated the increasing infl uence of “centre-periphery” factor. Around
the biggest cities (in the territories of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda districts) the number of
inhabitants was rapidly growing in 40% of the settlements’ and the tempos of growth
in these settlements have exceeded several times the tempos of decrease of population
in those settlements where the number of population decreased. In the territories of
municipalities (Trakai, Elektrėnai, Jonava, Kazlų Rūda, Kretinga districts) that neighbour
the biggest cities and the municipalities close to smaller Lithuanian cities (Panevėžys,
Marijampolė, Druskininkai, Utena) the tempos of settlements’ number increase/decrease
were similar, meanwhile, the number of inhabitants in these municipalities was increasing
only in 20-30% of rural settlements. Therefore, such situation led to the general negative
population change. In peripheral municipalities that are located further from bigger cities
(Pagėgiai, Akmenė dis., Pakruojis dis., Joniškis dis.., Skuodas dis.., Radviliškis dis. and
others) the rapid depopulation appeared in the majority (>83%) of rural settlements. Also,
the tempos of depopulation in these municipalities were several times higher. Therefore,
this situation infl uenced especially fast depopulation in the peripheral rural territories.
The analysis allows to underline that the increasing importance of the “centre-periphery“
factor will further determine the decline of rural settlements in peripheral territories.
regional changes during the period since 2001 till 2011. The analysis is based on the 2001
and 2011 population and houses census data provided by Statistics Lithuania. The performed
analysis revealed that the number of population decreased in the majority of settlements
independently on their size. However, the distinct regional changes could be stressed.
Besides, it was estimated the increasing infl uence of “centre-periphery” factor. Around
the biggest cities (in the territories of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda districts) the number of
inhabitants was rapidly growing in 40% of the settlements’ and the tempos of growth
in these settlements have exceeded several times the tempos of decrease of population
in those settlements where the number of population decreased. In the territories of
municipalities (Trakai, Elektrėnai, Jonava, Kazlų Rūda, Kretinga districts) that neighbour
the biggest cities and the municipalities close to smaller Lithuanian cities (Panevėžys,
Marijampolė, Druskininkai, Utena) the tempos of settlements’ number increase/decrease
were similar, meanwhile, the number of inhabitants in these municipalities was increasing
only in 20-30% of rural settlements. Therefore, such situation led to the general negative
population change. In peripheral municipalities that are located further from bigger cities
(Pagėgiai, Akmenė dis., Pakruojis dis., Joniškis dis.., Skuodas dis.., Radviliškis dis. and
others) the rapid depopulation appeared in the majority (>83%) of rural settlements. Also,
the tempos of depopulation in these municipalities were several times higher. Therefore,
this situation infl uenced especially fast depopulation in the peripheral rural territories.
The analysis allows to underline that the increasing importance of the “centre-periphery“
factor will further determine the decline of rural settlements in peripheral territories.
This article provides an overview about the new tendencies on the Lithuanian housing market shedding light on the development of the gated and guarded neighbourhoods (GGNs). Field surveys and interviews with developers, residents as well... more
This article provides an overview about the new tendencies on the Lithuanian housing market shedding light on the development of the gated and guarded neighbourhoods (GGNs). Field surveys and interviews with developers, residents as well as local planning authorities in Vilnius and its surroundings provide the basis of discussion about the " fencing phenom-enon". Can this phenomenon be explained by such factors like socioeconomic segregation in the city, extensive marketing or a specifi c niche on the market? The research results show that gated neighbourhoods are established not only because of the need to prevent residents from violence or to show their social status but also to protect their lives from the chaotic and socially unstable outside world where the gates have more symbolic meanings.
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In this article the authors analyse the regional peculiarities of Lithuanian rural settlements function change. The article pays attention to the methodological problems that appear while analysing rural settlements. Also, in the article... more
In this article the authors analyse the regional peculiarities of Lithuanian rural settlements function
change. The article pays attention to the methodological problems that appear while analysing rural
settlements. Also, in the article it is pointed out the soviet heritage of rural settlements functions. Apart
from that, the article stresses the main factors that influence rural territorial development and the change
of settlements functions. It was defined that “urbanizing” of economy and concentration of residents
around the cities influences the decline of links of residents with the place where they live and where they
work. Such situation also determines the decline of functional dependence of rural settlements. In future
it should emerge stronger relations between living and working place. Apart from that, it emerges new and
diverse territorial structure that is more dependant on local factors.
References 33. Figs 5. Table 1. In Lithuanian, summary in English
change. The article pays attention to the methodological problems that appear while analysing rural
settlements. Also, in the article it is pointed out the soviet heritage of rural settlements functions. Apart
from that, the article stresses the main factors that influence rural territorial development and the change
of settlements functions. It was defined that “urbanizing” of economy and concentration of residents
around the cities influences the decline of links of residents with the place where they live and where they
work. Such situation also determines the decline of functional dependence of rural settlements. In future
it should emerge stronger relations between living and working place. Apart from that, it emerges new and
diverse territorial structure that is more dependant on local factors.
References 33. Figs 5. Table 1. In Lithuanian, summary in English
This paper analyses the general trends of the socioeconomic development of the multicultural Vilnius city region. It is located in SouthEast Lithuania, which stands out as the poorest area of Lithuania in terms of its socioeconomic... more
This paper analyses the general trends of the socioeconomic development of the multicultural Vilnius city region. It is located in SouthEast Lithuania, which stands out as the poorest area of Lithuania in terms of its socioeconomic situation. Moreover, in a broader context, Vilnius city region is also located in the middle of the international Central European region, which is often perceived as one of the most " depressed " areas of the contemporary EU. Together with the systemic reforms of the early 1990s the profound economic and social changes have started, in which the Vilnius city region has been experiencing one of the most significant transformations throughout Lithuania. It is obvious that at present the main factor of the intense development of SouthEast Lithuania is the presence of Vilnius city. It has been growing very fast during the recent decades, thus a significant impact on the population structure and the economy of the surrounding areas has been made. The main questions of this paper are: what is the effect of Vilnius' development on the surrounding region and how profound this impact is. The process of transformations of the rural area into the urban one, changes of the population structure, ethnic landscape and economic processes are of greatest concern in the given paper. The Vilnius city region is the area of very dynamic changes, where socioeconomic tension of various kinds is almost inevitable, while the means of planning and sustainable development are quite limited.
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Nowadays more and more attention is paid to the problems that accrue due to the uneven regional development. For this reason, issues connected with cohesion policy are topical in EU and in Lithuania as well. Therefore, the aim of this... more
Nowadays more and more attention is paid to the problems that accrue due to the uneven regional development. For this reason, issues connected with cohesion policy are topical in EU and in Lithuania as well. Therefore, the aim of this article is to contribute to the regional researches and to present the system of indicators that might help to underline the most sensitive states' territories that are named as periphery regions. Starting with brief presentation of core-periphery model, later on the article concentrates on periphery phenomenon while underlying the most comprehensive periphery definition. Also, in the paper work is stressed the meaning of periphery region. The last part of the article gives an overview of the list of indicators for comprehensive periphery region research. This work differs from other similar works basted on periphery studies as the research in this paper work takes into account a number of different kind of indicators and looks at the periphery territories as to the complex of geographic, socioeconomic, demographic, cultural, political aspects.
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The aim of the paper is to name the main reasons of the establishment and development of gated and guarded neighbourhoods in Lithuania based on the original researches that have been carried out by the article authors. Also, the article... more
The aim of the paper is to name the main reasons of the establishment and development of gated and guarded neighbourhoods in Lithuania based on the original researches that have been carried out by the article authors. Also, the article includes the researches of other countries' GGN as it allows comparing the results and conclusions with the Lithuanian ones. Taking into account the developers' motives for building such kind of settlements, the reasons of inhabitants to move into the GGN and the public opinion it might be underlined that the gated and guarded neighbourhoods are built not because of the need for physical security but first of all for the possibility for the special resident groups to live separated from the fragmented socium. In the enclosed neighbourhoods of this type as well in all newly built settlements, a special role is played by the fence that becomes the symbolic boundary between harmonious and fragmented world. References 35. In Lithuanian, summary in English.
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The aim of this paper is to introduce the functioning peculiarities of Euroregions that are the border corporation structures. In the last years, the EU attention has been focused on regional policy, especially on that part which is... more
The aim of this paper is to introduce the functioning peculiarities of Euroregions that are the border corporation structures. In the last years, the EU attention has been focused on regional policy, especially on that part which is associated with the border regions. The first part of the article introduces the main features of Euroregions and explains the fundamentals of their existence. Besides, the present article presents 15 Euroregions that are located on the external eastern EU border. These Euroregions are divided into three categories (complete, partly complete, and low-complete) according to their completeness and each of them is discussed separately. The possibilities and problems connected with these border corporation problems also are discussed. The last part of the article is devoted to possible Euroregion development trends based on the analysis of possibilities and problems and contains recommendations on possible solutions.
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The aim of the paper is preliminary analysis of specific features of gated communities' development in Lithuania (on the example of Vilnius and its environs). First part of the paper discusses the appearance of gated communities in... more
The aim of the paper is preliminary analysis of specific features of gated communities' development in Lithuania (on the example of Vilnius and its environs). First part of the paper discusses the appearance of gated communities in Vilnius and its environs, inventories these communities and shows their main distinguishing features. The second part is devoted to the main features of gated communities in Lithuania and discussion of their possible development trends based on the interview data obtained in the gated communities. References 12. Figs. 5. Tables 8. In English, summary in Lithuanian.
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Chapter 36: URBANIZATION AND INEQUALITY IN CHINA'S MEGA-CITIES: A
PERSPECTIVE FROM CHINESE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
PERSPECTIVE FROM CHINESE INDUSTRIAL WORKERS
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Welcome to the book of blogs, a collection of diverse works from researchers across the globe who all have something important to say about the way in which our world is changing and how we can strive towards a more sustainable future.... more
Welcome to the book of blogs, a collection of diverse works from researchers across the globe who all have something important to say about the way in which our world is changing and how we can strive towards a more sustainable future. This book emerged from an International Social Science Council (ISSC) meeting in November 2014 of early career researchers, who gathered in Taiwan to discuss transitions to urban contexts from a social science perspective. The seminar involved weeklong discussions about sustainable urbanisation and the contribution of social science research to sustainable urban futures. Yet a week was not long enough to hear the diverse perspectives within the room, let alone incorporate the plethora of viewpoints beyond it. Within the ISSC discussions we concluded that one definition of sustainable urbanisation is not possible and that sustainable urbanisations are in play. The transitions to urban contexts taking place, and those that are anticipated within our futures, were characterised in terms of their plurality, diversity, fluidity, and change. This book embraces such uncertainty by welcoming dialogues, rather than a monologue, on the urbanisation processes taking place across the world and what to do about the places we build, and the impacts of human activity on the environment, health and climate.