Approaches to assessing the development of agglomerations in Russia

The purpose of the article is to analyze the main parameters of development of large and major agglomerations in Russia, as well as agglomerations in the European North of Russia. To achieve this goal, we used research methods such as economic, statistical and comparative analysis, methods of analysis, synthesis, and generalization, monographic method. The research novelty lies in improvingthe tools for assessing the development of agglomerations by taking into account the economic component (calculation of the gravity coefficient characterizing the potential of economic interaction between municipalities included in the agglomeration); substantiating the list and composition of agglomerations in the European North of Russia. The analysis shows that currently in Russia there is no clear understanding of the number and composition of existing and emerging agglomerations in the country; most of large and major agglomerations are located in the central settlement zone, only 10 agglomerations belong to the Asian part of Russia. In Russia, the most developed are only 2 agglomerations (Moscow and Saint Petersburg), the majority of agglomerations (17 of 40) in the country belong to the category of least developed; the highest value of the gravity coefficient is noted (excluding Moscow and Saint Petersburg agglomerations) in Tyumen and Perm agglomerations (33.5 and 28.5 bln RUB/km), in most (18 of 40) agglomerations - it exceeds 5 bln RUB; in the European North of Russia, the most economically developed are Cherepovets and Ukhta agglomerations, comparable in this indicator to the agglomerations included in the top 20 large and major agglomerations of the country. It is proved that all objectively existing and emerging agglomerations should become a priority of spatial development of Russia and its entities. The research results can be used in activities of federal and regional authorities, as well as serve as a basis for further research into this area.