International Journal of Regional Development

1-11

Authors: Dafina Nazaj & Ermelinda Tolica

The transition period has undoubtedly deserved, and it still does, in-depth analysis of the overall economy. Different studies in transition countries have served for the recognition of realities, taking action and policy development needed for economic development. Almost all transition countries are still undergoing a deep economic crisis. The nature of this crisis comes from a restructuring of the infrastructures created for a centralized economy. Many countries have been concerned with the problems that the development has caused in the environmental aspect. Transition countries are faced even with greater environmental problems because of their need to be developed rapidly. At low levels of development, both the quantity and the intensity of environmental degradation are limited to the impacts of subsistence economic activity on the resource base and to limited quantities of biodegradable wastes. As agriculture and resource extraction intensify and industrialization takes off, both resource depletion and waste generation accelerate. From an environmental perspective a decline in GDP is positive if hazardous materials pollution reduced. However, if one wants to analyze the dynamics of release per unit of production these relations will grow along with GDP in almost all transition economies. Economic situation in Albania, was very difficult due to the political instability of the country, which impede the development and implementation of a sustainable strategy and long-term economic reforms. Secondary data about economic growth and environmental indicators such as air pollution, water pollution and land pollution are analyzed for Albania as a country in transition. The figures follow the model of relationship between variables, relevant also to the choice of environmental policy instruments. The cost-effective policy becomes important in the case of Albania. Policies should also involve the population and make the necessary improvements.

26-38

Authors: Larisa A. Popova

The article reveals how the demographic processes in Russia are influenced by federal and regional demographic policy measures of 2006-2011 and by the national project “Health” and health care modernization programmes for 2011-2012. The author dwells upon the modem trends in the birth rate of Russia’s population, upon the changes in its structure by the age and marital status of mother. The article evaluates which actual generations have received the maximum reproductive benefit from pronatalist demographic policies, and what are the prospects concerning fertility. The article considers the dynamics of life expectancy of Russia’s population and the changes in the structure of mortality by causes.

65-78

Authors: Rasoul Babanasab, Asghar Zarabi & Masoud Taghvaei

The current study aims at investigating the indexes effective on the establishment of electronic city (E-city) in the Metropolitan Tabriz. Research type is applied-developmental and dominant approach is descriptive-analytical. To collect data, field and documentary research have been made us of. Based on those procedures, data has been gathered from among specialists of ICT and urban issues working in different organizations of Tabriz through 45 questionnaires. Then, data has been analyzed using SPSS and valuation of variables through Likert Spectrum. Findings reveal that, in the opinion of the specialists, among 7 indexes studied effective on the establishment of E-cities, management index is on average-to-low level. Total evaluation of indexes using One-Sample T-Test indicates while those indexes are available for the implementation of E-city in the Metropolitan Tabriz, it is possible, to some extent, that citizens perform electronic activities and organizations present electronic services regarding available infrastructures in order to move toward full electronic city. Also, there is significant relationship between the indexes and factors paving the way for the establishment of E-city. And, improving those indexes makes electronic Tabriz more possible in such a manner that management indexes, with correlation coefficient of 0.674, are the most effective ones among the indexes. Therefore, the first priority in making the metropolitan Tabriz electronic city is the serious attention paid by managers and authorities to new technologies in urban planning, coordination among organizations for decision making and specification of incumbents in implementing E-city.