MODELING AS A BASIS FOR THE STUDY OF REGION’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The article considers approaches to studying the issues of sustainable development of the region on the basis of modeling. It provides a classification of models used to study sustainable development. To classify models, we used the type of language in which they are formulated. This approach allowed us to divide the models into substantive and formal ones. The origins of formal modeling are considered, and an overview of modern research in this area is given. It is emphasized that economic and mathematical models are used to quantify and justify decisions in the field of sustainable development, while substantive ones are used to translate qualitative judgments into observable, more structured and formalized categories. Substantive models describing sustainable development from different points of view are considered. Their essence is revealed, a description using metaphors is given, limitations for their application are considered. The issues of synergistic effects in modeling are touched upon. In preparing this article, we reviewed previous publications related to sustainable development models. At the same time, the models themselves, their essence, logical reasoning, generation and testing of hypotheses, and a description of their application are contained in the original publications on the relevant study. Here, attention is focused on the approach combining the above. As a result, a scheme of methodological interrelation of approaches to the study of sustainable development based on a combination of different types of modeling is presented. The novelty of the study is the visualization of the methodological relationship of approaches to the study of sustainable development using different models. As the main conclusion, it is emphasized that the quality and validity of decision-making in the field of sustainable development depends on a combination of substantive and formal modeling. This makes the research process more accurate, but requires special training and tools.