The role of network communities in the strategic development of cities and regions

In this paper we discuss the impact of modern transformation of the economy and the society on the processes of strategic planning on the basis of network interaction. We define the notion of network communities and highlight the opportunities and problems of interaction between government and these communities in the process of strategizing. As one of the manifestations of the global trend of “networkization” of the economy and society, the transition to cluster interaction based on regional collaborative communities and the model of “Cluster Governance” are considered. Ideal models of public administration for the state and municipal government are considered in the context of the challenges of “networkization”, which allows us to trace and justify the evolution of public administration. There is a connection between the issues of organizing stakeholder communication and public participation in the strategy process with a change in public administration model. A typology of network communities in the context of the problem of organizing communication of stakeholders and public participation in the process of cities and regions strategizing is proposed. The various formats of communication and collaboration with network communities in the process of cities and regions strategizing, as well as prospects for using digitalization tools in this communication are considered.