The results of the «resettlement of small villages» policy in the non-chernozem area (case study of the Tver region)

For the first time in the geographical literature an attempt is made to consider the results of the 1960s-1970s policy of reconstruction of the rural settlement pattern. This policy included the classification of rural settlements into «viable» and «non-viable» and relocation of the residents of small villages in the larger ones. The paper presents data on the plans and results of the relocation of residents from «non- viable» villages to central settlements of collective farms and state farms in the Kalinin (now - Tver) region.

The official list of «viable» rural settlements for the Kalinin region approved in 1977 is analyzed. The structure of the array, the distribution of «viable» settlements across the region and 1976 to 2010 population dynamics of each settlement are considered. The alogism in identifying «viable» rural settlements was shown: many small settlements were named «viable», while many large ones were not included in the list. The majority of large «viable» settlements are concentrated in the central, most developed part of the region, i.e. the Tver Triangle the vertexes being the cities of Rzhev, Vyshny Volochyok and Kimry. The analysis of the population dynamics in viable settlements allowed suggesting six types of population changes from 1976 to 2010: from significant growth to the loss of residential population. All in all negative dynamics prevailed, i.e. more than half of viable settlements reduced their population. As long as the large collective farms existed, most of such villages developed successfully and gradually increased their population. Currently, they account for a significant part of the centers for rural development. But also the majority of settlements, once classified as «non-viable», have survived.

The conclusion is drawn about the failure of resettlement policy and transformation of the rural settlement pattern. It is shown that the mistaken understanding of the policy results is widespread in the Russian society and the scientific community. The paper is intended to recall the inefficiency of strong- willed decisions aimed at the radical changes in settlement patterns.

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