USE OF THE RANK-SIZE RULE IN THE STUDY OF URBAN SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE FORMATION OF A NEW ADMINISTRATIVE AND TERRITORIAL SYSTEM OF UKRAINE

Abstract

In the article a comparative analysis of urban settlement systems of the Odessa region and the Ukrainian Black Sea region was carried out by using the rank-size rule (rule of Zipfa-Medvedkova). The calculation of the theoretical population of cities is made according to the G. Zipfa’s formula of 1947 and the improved Y. Medvedkov formula, the ratio of the theoretical and actual number of inhabitants is outlined. It is determined that the settlement system of the Ukrainian Black Sea region, as a historical genetic region, is better formed than a separate Odessa region, as artificially created in the Soviet period.