The potential of Russian territories' development

The heterogeneity of the economic space is characteristic of almost all countries. It is the result of uneven settlement, distribution of natural resources and, consequently, distribution of productive forces. The growing heterogeneity of the economic space poses a threat to national security. In this regard, the issues of spatial development occupy an important place among the priorities of regional socio-economic policy. For modern Russia, the problem of uneven fragmented space is becoming increasingly important. The policy of spatial development implemented by the state gives priority to the development of urban agglomerations as main centers of economic growth. Concentration of economic activity and population in urban agglomerations leads to aggravation of social and economic problems of other territories. The level and quality of life is significantly lower in areas outside major cities. As a result, there is an outflow of population to large cities, curtailment of production, desertification of entire territories. In this regard, it is crucial to find ways to develop areas outside urban agglomerations. The purpose of this article is to identify the main problems of areas outside major cities, as well as justify the methods to ensure their sustainable development, which is very relevant from a scientific and practical point of view. The article proposes complex tools using which in the practice of regional authorities and bodies of local self-government will solve the problem of incoherence in the economic space and the heterogeneity of socio-economic development of territories. The key-note of the article is the need to stimulate self-development of territories, i.e. solving the problems of territories based on realizing and developing their own potential. The role of the institution of local self-government in solving this problem is substantiated, a set of methods for increasing independence and strengthening this institution of power is proposed.