| Road network as a system-forming component of a region’s economic landscape |
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Author: Mariya N. Goncharova Ural State University of Economics, Ekaterinburg, Russia Elena B. Dvoryadkina Ural State University of Economics, Ekaterinburg, Russia Viktor A. Blaginin Ural State University of Economics, Ekaterinburg, Russia Abstract: Within the conceptual framework of spatial economics, road network is conventionally seen as an auxiliary, servicing element, which does not reflect its actual role in the formation of a territory’s economic complex. The study aims to theoretically ground the significance of the road network as a system-forming component of a region’s economic landscape. Methodologically, the paper relies on the synthesis of classical location theories and the new economic geography. The methods include abstract-logical method, retrospective analysis, and structural-functional modelling. The authors develop an original model of a region’s economic landscape, where road network acts as a systemforming component that links a territory’s potential with its realisation in the form of economic subsystems. Then, the paper reveals a mechanism of a framework-forming impact of the road network that includes structure-forming (sets axes and nodes of economic activities’ concentration), gradient-forming (forms spatial gradients of accessibility and prices) and integrating (ensures integrity of and synergy between the components) functions. The implementation of these functions produces the corresponding spatially determined economic effects: the agglomeration effect, economies of scale, and the multiplier effect. The study concludes that the road network actively influences the configuration of a region’s economic landscape. The findings contribute to the advancement of the regional analysis methodology by transforming the perception of the road network as a passive factor, which incurs expenses, into an active factor behind the development. Keywords: road network; economic landscape; economic space; model; regional development. For citation: Goncharova M. N., Dvoryadkina E. B., Blaginin V. A. (2026). Road network as a system-forming component of a region’s economic landscape. Journal of New Economy, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 92–113. DOI: 10.29141/2658-5081-2026-27-2-5. EDN: HDIKJR. Article info: received February 17, 2026; received in revised form March 19, 2026; accepted March 27, 2026 |
