Development of spatial economic systems: evolutionary approach

Russian and foreign scientists, as well as government authorities show considerable interest in the theory of economic space. This explains the necessity to expand the theory and elaborate a special field - the theory of spatial systems, determine the typology and features of the evolution, and the patterns of the economic space transformation. The article is devoted to clarifying the content of the components, development trajectories of spatial economic systems in the context of the impact of changes in the sectoral spaces of the regions. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study were the scientific representations of the theory of evolutionary economics and dependence on the path of development, the methodology of "new locality" and the system-dynamic approach. It has been shown that the factors of transformation of regional industrial spaces (external, accidental, shock factors) act mainly to consolidate the existing industrial characteristics, increasing the effect of “locked” sectors. The authors present hypothetical variants of models for the evolution of industry spaces, forms of selection and consolidation of their characteristics (driving, disruptive and stabilizing selections); a variety of transformation iterations aimed at development of monostructural economic system is highlighted (taking into account the connectedness, changes in the macro-environment, inherited features and the existing program for the functioning of traditional industry). The conclusions of the study are the basis for the formation of a scientifically based methodology for the strategic planning of the spatial development of regions, the creation of methodological approaches and modeling the evolution of monospecialized regions of Russia.