TRANSPORT AND GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF MEDIUM-SIZED CITIES IN THE WESTERN REGIONS OF UKRAINE

Abstract

Due to the compactness and high concentration of socio-economic phenomena urban areas require a developed transport infrastructure and a coherence in communication with the surrounding territory and centres of different levels to ensure the proper functioning. The article is dedicated to estimation of the position of medium-sized cities in an Western part of Ukraine relative to the existing transport system. Particular attention is paid to location relative to international transport corridors and European routes, to the proximity and transport accessibility to state border checkpoints. It has been determined that in general cities are characterized by an advantageous position, as being situated within the border area, within or close to major highways, and most of them have easy connection to regional centres. The most favourable transport and geographical position, which can be described as arterial, belongs to Kovel, Mukacheve and Stryi. Kovel and Stryi are important transport hubs in Western Ukraine. However, comparing to other medium-sized cities of the area, the greatest amount of international and European transport routes lies across Mukacheve. Transport and geographical position of Colomyia and Chervonohrad can be considered as advantageous, as evidenced by their status of railway hubs, less advantageous – Drohobych and Kalush. Novovolynsk has the least advantageous, peripheral transport and geographical position. The transport and geographical position of medium-sized cities in the region serves as an additional incentive to use their potential, which is particularly important in view of their role as industrial and administrative centres.