Using cluster analysis of the transport and logistics infrastructure of Ukraine to form regional development strategies

Abstract

The war caused uneven and asymmetric changes in the transport and logistics infrastructure of Ukraine, which necessitated the study of the level of its development in individual regions, with their subsequent grouping and development of differentiated strategies for stabilisation and further development of logistics during the period of martial law and post-war economic recovery. The aim of the article was to develop methodological approaches to justifying and developing strategies for stabilisation and development of the transport and logistics system of Ukraine during the war and post-war period, taking into account the asymmetric and uneven impact of the war on the regions. To achieve the goal, the cluster analysis method was chosen to group the regions of Ukraine by the potential/functioning of their transport and logistics infrastructure, the level of development of which was assessed as very high, high, high, medium and low. As a result of the clustering and grouping of regions of Ukraine by indicators of “number of enterprises” (characterises logistics potential), “volume of implementation of transport and logistics infrastructure enterprises” (functioning of logistics), five differentiated strategies were proposed for the period of martial law and in the post-war period, which cover the following aspects of the strategic development of logistics in the regions of Ukraine: infrastructure, logistics and operational, security, innovation and technology, integration (international), economic, spatial and regional and sociohumanitarian. The key strategic directions for the development of transport and logistics infrastructure of Ukraine in war conditions include the reorientation of logistics flows to the western regions, decentralisation of logistics processes and ensuring flexibility of routes in accordance with the criteria of safety, efficiency and effectiveness. In the post-war period, the priorities for the restoration and development of the transport and logistics system were identified as integration into the European transport space, the development of modern logistics hubs, and the implementation of intelligent logistics solutions. The practical value of the study is based on the fact that the comprehensive implementation of the proposed strategies will ensure the stability of logistics systems during the war period and create the prerequisites for effective post-war restoration and integration of Ukraine into global transport and logistics networks.