Single-industry towns as a social phenomenon: their functioning and development

The research analyzes the social phenomenon of single-industry towns, their role in the modern market economy, and their genesis in Russia and abroad. The author highlights the historical stages of single-industry town development in the Russian Federation, the specific features of its occurrence in the Soviet Union in the face of merging settlements with core enterprises performing social functions in addition to economic activities. The establishment of company towns in Europe, North America, and Russia is compared. The distinctive features of the USSR single-industry towns are identified. The study investigates company town functioning and development, considers both Russian and international recovery strategies for single-industry municipalities as well as their relevant support measures taken in the Russian Federation.