Functions of cities. Classification of cities by function: examples

The city does not arise by itself. From the moment of its birth it is inextricably linked with any kind of activity, which is its function.

Facts from the past

The centuries-old history of mankind testifies that the functions of cities can repeatedly change. So, in the Middle Ages settlements arose for military-defensive and trade-craft purposes. And at first a fortified settlement was built. The city it became only after it overgrew a trade and craft land (roundabout). At that time, administrative and political functions of cities were most developed. There will be no difficulties with examples of such settlements. These are many cities of Russia, such as Pskov, Velikie Luki, Izborsk, etc.

In the late 18 century. For all the cities that are the centers of counties, the administrative function was fixed. But they did not stop there. Such cities have been given trade-distribution and organizational-economic functions. Such a layout has survived to our time. All these functions are inherent in the centers of administrative regions.

In the early 20 century. Large settlements began to play a transport-industrial role. This was especially evident in the cities through which the railway passed. The development of transport links contributed to the rapid growth of industrial enterprises. Examples of such cities are Novosokolniki and Porkhov, Velikie Luki and Pskov, and others.

Functions of cities in the second half of the 20th century. More shifted toward administrative. At the same time, they began to be combined with cultural and educational activities.

Main functions of cities

Each locality plays a certain role in the life of the region. The functions of cities are their social and economic characteristics. Let's consider their list.

The main functions of cities:
- demographic-resettlement;
- administrative and management;
- production (creation of material goods);
- social and domestic;
- educational and cultural;
- Innovative and scientific and technical;
- Foreign economic;
- distribution and distribution;
- information;
- transport and communication;
- recreational and tourist;
- sports and recreational;
- Socio-ecological and environmental protection.

As you can see, the list is impressive. These are the main functions of cities, which distinguish them from the list of small settlements.

Typology

What are the settlements? There is a certain classification of cities according to the functions that are inherent in them. Among them are:

1. Multifunctional. These cities play a cultural, administrative and political, as well as an economic role. These include the most important area-forming centers. Here there is a complex territorial organization, there are various wide connections.
2. Cities of interregional significance, in which transport and industrial functions are predominant. In general, such settlements are divided into several types. They are transport, industrial and industrial transport.
3. Cities in which other functions predominate. Their transport and industrial significance is less pronounced. These are small towns, local centers. They play an organizational and administrative role for the lower regions.
4. Resort cities with specific features.
5. Scientific-experimental and scientific centers.

Functions common to all human settlements

The city is a special type of settlement. It is generated by the division of labor. What functions are cities performing without exception? They are called gradobesluzhivayuschimi. Such activity is turned inward and has value only for the most populated point.

What other functions are cities performing? City-building. Such activity allows considering the settlement as one of the elements of a system of settlements located in a certain region or state.

In the modern world city-forming functions of cities are their life basis. They allow to solve political and administrative-administrative, industrial and residential, cultural and commercial, scientific and educational, as well as communal and engineering tasks. At the same time, all listed functions of cities are closely connected and can not exist separately. New settlements arise in order to meet the needs of the whole country or its individual regions. At the same time, the classification of cities by functions is carried out depending on the role assigned to them.

Typology of city-forming activity

Functions of cities, which are its lifeblood, are divided into central and special. The first group includes that activity, which consists in various types of services to the population, as well as farms located in the adjacent territories.

The central function

The typology of cities within the country has its own classification with a strict hierarchy. On the upper step is Moscow. The capital of the Russian Federation is serviced by the entire state. The next level is reserved for the centers of large economic regions. The functions of the Russian cities of this category (Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk) are to serve the regions whose centers they are. The next level is regional. At this stage of the hierarchy, there are centers whose task is to service several administrative districts. To such cities can be attributed, for example, Orsk and Buzuluk.

The next step in the hierarchy is occupied by district centers. They include, among others, Priozersk and Vyborg (Leningrad region). On the lowest step are the intra-district centers. Functions of Russian cities of this level consist in servicing a certain territorial part of the administrative district. Such cities include Vereya and Aprelevka (Moscow region, Naro-Fominsk district).

Special function

This role is assigned to the sectoral centers nationwide. The bulk of Russian cities are large industrial entities (Novokuznetsk, Magnitogorsk, etc.), as well as transport nodes (Nakhodka, Novorossiysk). The cities of science (Dubna, Obninsk), tourist and resort centers (Suzdal, Pyatigorsk, Sochi) are much less common in our country.

Urbanization

The process that promotes the role of urban settlements in the development of the whole country is caused by changes in the demographic and social structure of society, its way of life, culture, etc.

Numerous regions of our country have significant differences in the degree of urbanization. And this is evident not only at the level that large economic areas occupy, but also on where the small towns that perform administrative and territorial functions are located.

The process of consolidation of cities in recent years has greatly increased. The territory of many settlements is rapidly expanding. At the same time, industry and population are dispersed in adjacent areas. In this regard, strengthened the functions of cities, both economic and cultural. A large settlement turns into a single urbanized zone where it plays the role of the main center.

Differences in functional purpose are also found in the list of urban-type settlements. It can be building centers, the birth of which is associated with the construction of large industrial facilities. In addition, suburban settlements have exceptionally residential functions. In the Moscow region, such are the Springs, Semkhoz, etc. There are also villages that do not have the functions of the city. This is observed in those settlements where industrial enterprises are already closed, and there is no external labor relations. Settlements of this type are most often found in the eastern and northern regions of the country, where in the old days there were mining developments.

Classification of cities by population

In the event that many different functions are concentrated in one settlement, it will grow rapidly and develop. That is why all major cities are called upon to ensure the activities of various spheres of society's existence, and vice versa.

Small towns, as a rule, are monofunctional. All settlements are divided into the following types:
- the smallest, the population in them does not exceed five thousand people;
- small - 5-20 thousand people;
- Welterweight - 20-50 thousand people;
- medium - 50-100 thousand people;
- large - 100-500 thousand people;
- the largest - 500 thousand - 1 million people;
- millionaire cities - more than 1 million people.

The number of inhabitants of any locality directly depends on the variety of tasks assigned to it.

Monofunctional cities

To the settlements that play a specific role in the life of society, one can include scientific and resort centers. What are their functions?

Cities of science are formed for the implementation of scientific, scientific and technical, as well as innovative activities. In these settlements, they carry out tests, experimental development, and train personnel in accordance with state priorities for the development of the scientific and technical industries.

The functions of the resort cities include the following:

- medical rehabilitation of patients;
- Spa treatment;
- Wellness rest;
- taking preventive measures;
- cultural and entertainment and cognitive activities.

For the first three functions, natural physical factors are used.

Functions of the Northern Capital of Russia

What is the role of St. Petersburg in the life of its population and the whole country? Currently, the main set of functions of the city is quite wide.

He is:

- a historical and cultural center of world level;
- an innovative, scientific and educational center;
- business city;
- tourist center;
- transport and transit node.

Perspective of development

The functions of any city do not remain unchanged. Over time, some of them are modified somewhat, while others - disappear, giving way to new ones. The same processes are typical for St. Petersburg. The most promising functions of the Northern capital can be determined on the basis of an analysis of the city's external environment, its competitive positions and the growing role of human capital. This strategic planning is handled by the authorities of St. Petersburg.

Classification of functions of the Northern capital

All that activity of the city, which is aimed at accomplishing the tasks assigned to it, is divided into two groups. The first of these includes functions that are virtually unchanged for a long period of time. They are basic. The second group includes more volatile industry functions.

What is the mission of the Northern capital to the first group? It is a function of the city of St. Petersburg as a place for comfortable living. This role, despite its obviousness, has not always been decisive and leading. Today everything has changed. A successful city has become a place where talented, enterprising and creative people live freely, richly and comfortably. For this function, St. Petersburg successfully competes with such cities as Moscow, Paris, London, etc.

The northern capital also has the function of a scientific center. This is facilitated by numerous educational institutions. In addition, highly qualified specialists work in the field of science in the city.

Recently, the geopolitical influence of St. Petersburg on the level of development of other regions has significantly increased. This expresses the metropolitan function of the city. It hosts various international conferences, summits, forums and exhibitions. Thus, the city successfully implemented the strategy of the second capital.

The permanent function of St. Petersburg is its role as a historical and cultural center not only in Russia, but in the whole world. This contributes to the development of tourism and the attraction of educated people to live.

Functions of St. Petersburg as an industrial center are gradually being modified. New enterprises are opening in the city, forming the newest branches of modern production. Here, automotive components are made and the auto assembly sector is deployed. The northern capital can be proud of the pharmaceutical industry created on the newest technological level. On the territory of the city, branches of many leading world companies are open and working. In other words, St. Petersburg has a huge potential for becoming a center of modern high-tech industry.