SETTLEMENTS’ ASPECT OF THE STRATEGY OF SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR RUSSIA

Abstract

Strategizing the spatial development of the Russian Federation is an extremely complex, multifaceted task, which affects not only the traditional problem of the location of productive forces, but also a wide range of issues, concerning the ratio of different types of settlements, agglomeration processes, strengthening the role of each type of settlements and agglomerations in ensuring sustainable socio-economic development of the country and its regions. The active discussion around the dilemma “mega-cities and/or small and medium-sized cities”, which actively unfolded during the discussion of the draft of the spatial development Strategy, naturally didn’t lead to the formation of a mono polar position on this issue. Formally, newly adopted document paid tribute to the leading role of mega cities and large agglomerations in the development of the country’s economy and its modernization on the innovative basis, but also proceeds from the fact that the implementation of this trend of socio-economic development should not lead to the launch of the bulk of small settlements. This situation gives the reason to presume that many questions of the spatial development of the Russian economy haven’t yet received an adequate answer. This, in particular, concerns the settlement aspect of spatial Strategy. In addition, it is not clear what should be the program-target tools of the Spatial development strategy of the Russian Federation and what role national projects can play in this sphere.