Spatial regulation of development of old industrial territories: theoretical aspect

Achievement of the effectiveness of programs and activities of the state regional policy in relation to various types of regions requires constant development of its methodological basis in order to take into account the most relevant achievements of domestic and foreign scientific thought. The purpose of the article is to summarize the theoretical foundations of spatial regulation and regional development of regional policyin relation to old industrial territories, taking into account the features and problems of their functioning and development. It is shown that foreign and domestic scientists associate the phenomenon of old industry with the achievement of the limit of growth of the regional economy. The theoretical basis of modern regional policy is the theories of spatial economics, first of all, the theory of poles (centers) of growth. The evolutionary approach to solving the problems of old industrial regions is widely used in the practice of public administration. At the turn of the 20th - 21st centuries, the conceptual provisions of the theory of the creative class and the concept of the “learning region” began to be used in the establishment of state programs to support old industrial territories. The study of theoretical approaches to the problems of spatial regulation and regional development showed that regional social and economic policy, coordinated with the macroeconomic policy of the state, is a necessary condition for the resolution of territorial contradictions in the development of the national economy, while the policy of regional authorities is considered as a key factor in ensuring sustainable social and economic development of old industrial territories. Specific threats to the old industrial regions’ sustainable socio-economic development require special support, as well as the reflection of the priorities of state support for old industrial territories in the key document of spatial strategizing. It is the Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation.