Complicated social and economic problems of development of the republic, which were in
1990s, as well as change of its geo-political location are reflected in trends and problems of
modern urban settlement network formation and development. Urbanisation process is
dynamically continued although its quantitative rates were put down comparing to 1960-70s.
In the 1990s new type of urban settlements appeared in Belarus. It included seven residential
districts (towns) in Borisov, Maryina Gorka, Baranovitchi, Bereza, Lida, Slonim and Ross and
industrial complex in Chist Town, which were calculated for civilian population of military
contingent brought out of Central and Eastern Europe. Also the goal included housing problem
solution within the military staff.
These residential formations were built with participation of different Byelorussian and foreign
building companies and financed by the Federal Republic of Germany. They are distinguished
by high quality of houses, engineering infrastructure and transport network as well as social
service. However the lack of jobs is a big disadvantage. And as a result there is quite high level
of unemployment and other social problems, which require complex measures undertaking at the
national, regional and local levels.
Acknowledgements
The paper is a result of research carried out by the Institute of Regional Geography in Leipzig in
collaboration with the Institute for Regional and Urban Planning Minsk
(BELNIIPGRADOSTROITELSTVA). In addition besides the authors, which names are on the
title page, it should be noted that contributions were made by L.N. Smirnova and D.I.
Semenkevich. The authors take this opportunity to express special thanks to them for their
valuable suggestions.
1 SHACHOTKO L.P. Urbanization of the Republic of Belarus/ Actual statistic 2000, p. 69-86, Minsk, 2000.
2 If in Byelorussian SSR the rate of urban population was about 22% in 1950 , at the same time in Russia rate of
urban population was 45% (see Statistical yearbook of the Republic of Belarus 1999. Ministry of the statistic and
analyze of the Republic of Belarus, Minsk, 1999. and Russian statistical yearbook 2000, Moscow, Goscomstat,
2000).
3 See POLSKY S.A. & MEDVEDEV V.F. Problems of planning and large cities' growth moderation (on the example of
Byelorussian SSR)/Problems of urbanization in the USSR. Ed. D.I. Valentej, Moscow, 1971,p.88-89.
4 STATISTICAL YEARBOOK OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS 2001. Ministry of the statistic and analyze of the Republic
of Belarus, Minsk, 2001.
5 It is necessary to note that there are two types of urban settlements officially listed in Byelorussian statistics: cities
proper (109) and towns or settlements of an urban type (104). As a general rule, cities have a population of more
than 12,000 and settlements of an urban type -- below 12,000 although this classification depends on the function as
well as the size.
6 STATISTICAL YEARBOOK OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS 2001. Ministry of the statistic and analyze of the Republic
of Belarus, Minsk, 2001.
7 20% of Byelorussian territories were contaminated. Gomel Region (70%) suffered most of all (See BELARUS 2015.
Summary of National Plan of Spatial Development, Minsk, 2001).
8 BELARUS: RETROSPECTIVE AND PERSPECTIVE/ National report on human development 1999, Minsk, 1999.
9 SHACHOTKO L.P. Population of the Republic of Belarus at the end of 20 century. Minsk, 1996.
10 The urbanised structure of Belarus is based on the cities of NSS and main transport corridors.
11 GIBBS, J. The evolution of population. Econ. Geogr. 1963, No.2P.85-99.
12 SHACHOTKO L.P. Urbanization of the Republic of Belarus/ Actual statistic 2000, p. 69-86, Minsk, 2000..
13 ALEKSEEV A.I.& SIMAGIN Y. Agricultural character of Russian mentality and reforms in rural areas in Russia.
Russian regions in new economic conditions. Publication of Lipets Y.G., Moscow, 1996 p.120-126.
14 See BRADE I., PERTSIK E.N.& PITERSKI D.S. Regional planning and schemes of settlement systems. Experiences
and prospects. Moscow, 2000, also PITERSKI D. The cities of Russia: some recent trends and experience of regional
and urban planning. In: GeoJournal, 1997, vol.43, no.4, p. 385-388.