Improving methods for assessing the activities of municipal agglomerations: a model of a comfortable living environment and testing in Kuzbass

The paper presents a study devoted to improving methods for assessing the performance of municipal agglomerations. Various parameters and indicators used to assess the development of such agglomerations are considered. In particular, a model of a comfortable living environment for an agglomeration of municipalities is presented, including the socio-economic potential of the territory, economic efficiency (economic attractiveness) and social parameters. The main attention is paid to improving the methodology for assessing the development potential of agglomerations. The potentials were calculated for the North Kuzbass and South Kuzbass agglomerations. The work also improved and tested the methodology for assessing the agglomeration effects of the real sector of the economy for the agglomerations of the Kemerovo region - Kuzbass. The proposed approach to assessing the activities of municipal agglomerations makes it possible to more accurately and objectively assess their development, as well as identify potential directions for improving the economic and social situation in the regions under consideration.