Borderland Phenomenon: Approaches to Interpretation and the Role of Center–Periphery Gradients

— The influence of borders on the spatial organization of the life of society determines the need to take into account the borderland phenomenon: a phenomenon that endows the territory with special properties and functions. A number of authors interpret the borderland phenomenon as a predisposition to interact with a neighbor. It can broach a variety of problems and restrictions associated with a border, from the cultural influence of a neighboring state to issues of mutual trade. Other researchers believe that the borderland phenomenon is defined as a type of geographical location that endows a territory with special functions. Still others suggest talking about the “border effect” and its influence on the adjacent territories. A synthesis of approaches allows us to interpret the borderland phenomenon as territorial manifestations of the immediate proximity of the border, as well as positional properties and functions of a territory, due to the location of the border. Border territories can be central, semiperipheral, and peripheral. The borderland phenomenon potentially provides conditions and resources for the development of territories; however, with deep peripherality, even for open borders, growth zones do not form. In addition, the redistribution of functions between different types of borders and their adaptation to external geopolitical challenges change the significance and correlation of the border and peripheral properties of the territory.