Economic and geographical methods for assessing the potential for the development of rural territories, on the example of the Dubovsk district of the Volgograd region

The work is devoted to a comprehensive economic and geographical analysis of the problems of sustainable development of one of the municipalities of the region. Sustainable development is understood as such development, which is accompanied by the manifestation of positive trends. In modern conditions, sustainable development strategies are being developed in the country at all territorial levels. In socio-economic geography, it seems to ensure the sustainable development of municipalities through the solution of certain problems. These include problems of rural agglomeration, demographic problems, problems ofdiversification of the economy, problems of strengthening state regulation of investment in municipalities. We are supporters of the integrated development of rural areas. The economic and geographical position of the Dubovsky district has a decisive influence on the socio- economic development. At the same time, a small part of the territory is characterized by an advantageous position, and a large part is unfavorable. The economic assessment of the natural conditions and resources of the region is based on a combination of zonal and individual features. Their combination determines the best natural indicators for economic development in the western part of the region. The assessment of the socio-demographic potential of the region is characterized by the predominance of positive trends in the territories adjacent to the Volgograd-Syzran highway, as well as in the rural settlements of the western part. The northern part of the region along its entire length from west to east has a predominance of negative trends in settlement. Dubovsky district in modern conditions performs the functions of specialization in the intra-regional territorial division of labor. At the same time, the most productive branches of agriculture gravitate towards the highway in the south of the region. The western and northern parts are dominated by almost completely mechanized grain farming. The study of territorial trends in the formation of sustainable development of the economy of the Dubovsky district creates the prerequisites for a more balanced policy. In the southern part of the district, it is necessary to promote the development of the suburban economy. In most of the region, efforts are needed to prevent depopulation of the territories.