The formation of socio-economic development strategy for small and medium towns in Russia

The paper shows the actuality of development of small and medium towns in the political system of society. There are some typical problems common for most of them, such as low income, absence of professional personnel, weak development of the technical and financial base, higher depreciation and low energy efficiency of housing, utilities, infrastructure in general; poor quality of municipal legal acts; reduction in the level of trust in the political authorities and other. The author believes that in the systemic crisis the search for new ways of development of municipalities, aiming to update their aims and long-term strategies is of prime importance. The legislative regulation of the strategic planning is an important step to build an effective management for complicated and much differentiated territorial social and economic system of Russia.