Systemic approach in the study of environmental constraints on the socio-economic development of the region

Abstract

The paper provides a theoretical justification for the application of a systemic approach to the analysis of socio-economic development of Ukrainian regions with particular emphasis on ecological constraints. The systemic approach is shown to be a comprehensive analytical tool that integrates economic, social, spatial, and institutional subsystems, enabling long-term modeling of development scenarios and strategic planning of territorial growth. Ecological constraints are identified as a systemic factor that determines the boundaries and conditions of sustainable regional development. The study classifies ecological constraints into four main categories: resource limitations, ecosystem restrictions, regulatory and legal constraints, and natural-climatic challenges. Their impact is analyzed across different dimensions of the regional system: in the economic sphere they reduce resource availability and increase production costs while stimulating modernization and innovation; in the social sphere they affect quality of life, public health, and demographic dynamics; in the spatial dimension they shape land use patterns and industrial location decisions; in the institutional sphere they drive regulatory reforms and the development of green economy policies. The research demonstrates that ecological constraints do not operate in isolation but interact with other subsystems, transforming key parameters of regional development. The proposed systemic model of regional growth highlights the necessity of integrating ecological factors into all levels of regional policy and governance. Such integration is essential for balancing economic efficiency with environmental sustainability, reducing risks of ecological degradation, and enhancing the long-term competitiveness and resilience of Ukrainian regions in the context of contemporary global challenges.