Ways of Evolution of Regional (Territorial) Identity in the Human Life Cycle (Using the Example f the Trans-Baikal Territory)

The Trans-Baikal Territory, like other regions of Siberia and the Far East, is experiencing a population outflow to the European part of the country. The theoretical basis of this article draws on the theories and concepts of both foreign and domestic scholars: R. Copello’s concept of interpreting identity as an economic asset and territorial identity as an intangible asset; E. Panzer’s idea of territorial identity as the perception of similarity felt and experienced by residents of a specific territory; N. Baryshnaya’s theory of the correlation of degrees of territorial self-identification; and I. Zadorina’s concept of territorial identity in border areas. The article establishes that territorial identity is based on the regular intellectual, psychological, and emotional practice of correlating oneself and subsequently self-identifying with a particular territory, local community, or region, characterized by territorial, historical, cultural, social, regulatory, and linguistic specifics. The authors propose a behavioral-migration typology of territorial identity depending on an individual’s position at various stages of the life cycle. The article demonstrates that modern individuals often exhibit a lack of focus in their territorial identity, indicating that perceptions are forming about the specialization of territories throughout the life cycle: place of birth, place of study, place of work, place of rest, and place of retirement. A complete lack of focus and an entirely focused territorial identity are extreme cases. More commonly, individual stages of the life cycle are associated with a specific place, thereby strengthening a particular type of territorial identity. Each period of life has its own type of territorial identity. In recent years, personal behavioral geography has undergone a revolutionary transformation, leading to changes in the social structure of families and the concept of local territorial communities.

identity, regional (territorial) identity, evolution, human life cycle, Trans-Baikal Territory, territorial identity by place of birth, territorial identity by place of study, territorial identity by place of work, phenomenon of focused territorial identity