Analysis of the Materials of the Periodical Neftyanik Pripolyarya as a Method for Reconstructing the History of the City of Gubkinsky in the Early 1990s

This article examines the periodical ‘Neftyanik Pripolyarya’ as a key historical source for reconstructing the early development of Gubkinsky, one of the youngest settlements in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Founded in 1986 as a settlement, Gubkinsky was granted city status in 1996, experiencing rapid growth due to the expansion of the oil and gas industry. As one of the leading local periodicals of the time, Neftyanik Pripolyarya documented socioeconomic transformations, political changes, and public sentiments that shaped the town during its formative period. The study employs content analysis of newspaper publications to identify key themes and issues influencing the development of Gubkinsky. These include housing construction, the establishment of social infrastructure, environmental consequences of industrial activity, crime rates, and challenges in food supply. Given the limited availability of archival documents and official reports from the early 1990s, this periodical serves as a valuable source for reconstructing the historical landscape of Gubkinsky’s urbanization. The newspaper provides insights into the daily lives of residents, revealing the dynamics of economic development, demographic shifts, and social adaptation in the context of industrial expansion in the North. An examination of the newspaper’s materials demonstrates that ‘Neftyanik Pripolyarya’ not only recorded key events but also contributed to the formation of local identity and the professional community. It served as a platform for public discussions on pressing social and economic issues, with contributors including representatives from the oil and gas industry, local authorities, and the cultural sector. The publications highlighted the adaptation of new residents to the extreme northern climate, the implementation of innovative construction technologies for housing and industrial facilities, and the organizational challenges associated with providing social services in an economically unstable environment. The findings emphasize the importance of local periodicals as sources documenting socio-economic and cultural aspects of history that may not be reflected in official government reports. The newspaper preserved information about key events, management decisions, and public initiatives that influenced the development of Gubkinsky. The materials highlight issues of social cohesion, problem-solving efforts, and the formation of an urban community amid intensive industrial growth. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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