This article discusses the efficiency of transport infrastructure and cooperation of neighboring regions located in Asian Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan in the context of creating new international economic corridors from the Silk Road and trans-Eurasian transport corridors. This study aims to highlight the possible ways of strengthening cross-border cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure. We evaluated the current state of the transport infrastructure, the dynamics of its development, and its influence on the territorial–production complex. Using quantitative data and the unified indicator for the efficiency of transport infrastructure, we also characterized the territorial differentiation, its causes, and prerequisites for further economic and trade cooperation between these countries. The main results are as follows: (1) The lowest levels of the efficiency of transport infrastructure are typical for the northeast of Asian Russia, as well as for the border regions of China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. (2) For Asian Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, the highest levels of the unified indicator are typical for regions located along the main transport routes and for regions with a developed mining industry. This is due to the strong unevenness of the socio-economic development of the territories. (3) The largest industrial and economic centers have been developing along the main transport corridors primarily due to the accumulated potential of equivalent freight turnover and export potential. This study can be useful for authorities and business, as well as for other users of transport infrastructure to improve its regulation and efficiency.

For the first time in the territory of the Russian Far East, a study related to the establishment of correlations between air quality and public health in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia, Russia) was carried out. This study is based on the analysis of official medical statistics on morbidity over several years, the data on the composition and volume of emissions of harmful substances into the air from various stationary sources, and laboratory measurements of air pollutants in different locations in Ulan-Ude. This study confirmed that the morbidity of the population in Ulan-Ude has been increasing every year and it is largely influenced by air pollutants, the main of which are benzo(a)pyrene, suspended solids, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and nitrogen dioxide. It was found that the greatest contribution to the unfavorable environmental situation is made by three types of stationary sources: large heating networks, autonomous sources (enterprises and small businesses), and individual households. The main air pollutants whose concentrations exceed the limits are benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, suspended particles PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and nitrogen dioxide. A comprehensive assessment of the content of various pollutants in the atmospheric air showed that levels of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to public health exceeded allowable levels. Priority pollutants in the atmosphere of Ulan-Ude whose concentrations create unacceptable levels of risk to public health are benzo(a)pyrene, suspended solids, nitrogen dioxide, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, formaldehyde, and black carbon. The levels of morbidity in Ulan-Ude were higher than the average for Buryatia by the main disease classes: respiratory organs—by 1.19 times, endocrine system—by 1.25 times, circulatory system—by 1.11 times, eye diseases—by 1.06 times, neoplasms—by 1.47 times, congenital anomalies, and deformations and chromosomal aberrations—by 1.63 times. There is an increase in the incidence of risk-related diseases of respiratory organs and the circulatory system. A strong correlation was found between this growth of morbidity and atmospheric air pollution in Ulan-Ude.

This article examines the territorial production and resource structures in the territory of Asian Russia, which include natural, economic, and social elements. The objective of this study is to assess, typologize, and zone the territorial production–resource structures. The methodological framework of this study is based on calculating an integral development indicator for the regions of Asian Russia, represented by an Adjusted Net Savings index. This index reflects regional wealth according to the World Bank’s expanded concept of national wealth, which includes three types of capital: “reproducible”, “natural”, and “human”. The study also involves a larger typology of the regions, classifying them based on the predominance of these capital forms through the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the triangular illustration method. Regional clustering within the study area was also conducted through the k-means method using Statistica 12 software. Accordingly, adjusted net savings and sectoral contributions to gross regional product were calculated for the regions in this area. A relationship between regional specialization and the level of genuine savings was identified, forming the basis for the grouping of regions. A total of three groups were distinguished: regions with negative, moderate, and the highest levels of genuine savings within the macroregion. A larger typology using dominant, predominant, and complex functions was also developed. Using data on natural, physical, and human capital in Asian Russia, its regions were clustered, resulting in the identification of five clusters. The territory was then zoned based on the clustering results. A total of eight zones were identified, reflecting the size and balance of the three types of capital (human, physical capital, and productive natural), with regions grouped according to their cluster membership and territorial proximity. The findings can help identify pathways for more sustainable development of this territory amidst evolving natural, economic, social, and geopolitical conditions.

The implementation of the international One Belt – One Road project, initiated by the Chinese leadership in 2013, will certainly have a global geoeconomic effect. The purpose of this article is to analyse urbanisation processes in the participating countries located on the routes of the great Silk Road and Tea Road. In the study, based on literary sources and by generalizing the results of satellite imagery, rates of development of urbanisation processes were considered using as examples the capital cities of the participating countries: Beijing (Peoples Republic of ChinaRC), Astana (Kazakhstan), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) and Ulan-Ude (Russia). The choice of cities is an attempt to conduct a time slice of the dynamics of urban spatial development of cities with differing populations and levels of development.The results obtained indicate that urbanisation processes have common features that meet modern trends and the main historical stages of economic development. At the same time, there are significant differences in the dynamics of development due to socio-economic, political, and historical-geographical factors. In the development of urbanisation processes, taking into account global challenges, it is necessary to take into account the individual regional geographic features, as well as national and international geopolitical interests.

The Baikal region is an integral regional settlement system. Modern social and economic transformations have had a significant negative impact on the demographic situation in the region. Low level of social and economic development, raw material orientation of the economy, vulnerable cross-border situation, depopulation, aging and outflow of population, all of this endanger the sustainable development of the region. The paper considers the spatial and temporal dynamics of demographic processes, reveals the trends of decrease in the population of the territory due to unfavorable demographic and migration situation.