Creating of united communities in context of influence on the development of settlements (on the example of Lviv region)

The article analyses the reform proposals of administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine in the context of the impact on the development of settlement network, change status, functions and population settlements. The current problems of the settlement in Lviv region are studied, peripheral settlements and bands, formed as a result of its remoteness from administrative centres and transportation routes are stated. The analysis methods of forming local communities revealed that it does not take into account natural and geographical differences of rural location, historical features of creating a network of cities, population size and importance of preserving the functions of individual towns and large villages. Socio-geographical analysis of the proposed long-term plan of local communities is made. It is indicated that the consolidation will take place around regional centres and other urban areas, at least – around the large villages. As a result of the formation of only three or four communities in some areas there is a danger of degrade of remote small villages. It is reported that only 24 villages that will become the centres of community, have the prospect of further preserving their functional significance in the settlement system. Villages, that will not become the centres of community, but will be attached to the city, will lose the functions in servicing and the role in the resettlement. Financial capacity and infrastructure provision of the territorial community will depend on location and favourable socioeconomic and demographic potential of the community centres. Through the example of the new established 26 communities of Lviv region, large disparities in size, population, and appreciable problems of a new level administrative-territorial structure were revealed. Key words: decentralization, local community, resettlement, administrative-territorial system.