Demographic features of the population formation of the "closed" city Zheleznogorsk (Krasnoyarsk region)

In the given article the features of the population formation of Zheleznogorsk (Krasnoyarsk region) as a "closed" city are discussed. The first nuclear reactor of the Krasnoyarsk Mining and Chemical Combine was put into operation within 8 years after the beginning of its construction. This became possible thanks to the widespread use of the forced labor of prisoners, and in the future - of military constructors. During 15 years of existence of the labor camp "Polyanskiy" based on the territory of Zheleznogorsk over 80 thousands of prisoners passed through it. The use of prisoners' and military constructors' labor was a natural phenomenon in the economic and political conditions of the Soviet Union in 1940-1950-s. Population formation was greatly influenced by the secrecy regulations that in the first years of the city construction became a negative factor in the decision to move to the city, although it later helped stabilize the crime situation. Nevertheless the special status of the "closed" city gave significant privileges and benefits: in that period of shortage settlements of this category had a better supply, they had a high-level education and medicine service, those cities were better planned and well-organized, their population was less worried about the living conditions. The main forms of the employable population reinforcement in new cities were public appeal to the youth, moving on one's own initiative, transfer together with the working stuff, as well as the placement after graduation from the educational institutions. During the first years of the city construction one of the main problems was the lack of necessary professional education level of the resettlers. Most of the young people aged 18 to 24 came to this city by the public appeal to the youth. Many of the resettlers had to learn demanded professions on the spot. Another feature is the "artificially created" mono-ethnic population of the city, due to the fact that the preferences were given to immigrants from the regions of the USSR with mainly Slavic population. Like in other new cities, the population of Zheleznogorsk increased due to mechanical growth, and the birth rate exceeded the death rate for a long time. However by the beginning of 1990-s the difference between these indicators decreased mainly because of the natural "ageing" of the city population (the increase of average age of citizens). The author concludes that the processes of formation of the Zheleznogorsk population had common traits as in all new cities, and also specific features of the "closed" nuclear cities.

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