Modernization of the regional system of strategic planning: challenges and solutions

The article deals with the advantages of the federal law "Concerning Strategic Planning in the Russian Federation" that is in effect since 2014 and aimed to create the vertically integrated system of strategic planning in Russia and its regions. Special attention is paid to the important aspects of the strategic planning, which for some reasons haven't been reflected in this law, or which haven't been specified properly and need further explanations. A number of particular proposals on improvement of the legislation in the sphere of strategic planning is suggested. The author analyses the activities of the regional authorities on updating of the regional legislation, in particular, the constituent entities of the Southern Federal District. The paper reviews the changes in the system of documents serving as reference for developers of the regional strategies when forming their content. Some suggestions on the development of the special part of the strategy of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation are made. The author believes that it is necessary to consider more thoroughly the cluster policy, the zoning policy, and the policy of import substitution in the strategy of social and economic development of regions until 2030. It is proved that the system of documents of strategic planning which has developed in regions so far needs auditing. The author thinks it is necessary to support the bill of introduction of the two-year moratorium on the development of own strategy and programs by the regions until the emergence of such documents as "The Strategy of Spatial Development of the Russian Federation", "The Strategy of Social and Economic Development of the Russian Federation Until 2030".