NEWS

The topic of developing urban agglomerations in Russia has become an important part of the regional agenda over the past few years. This topic has also become one of the spatial development priorities. The round table “Urban Agglomerations in Russia: the Choice of Development Model, Legislative and Regulatory Priorities” has been moderated by Aleksei Didenko, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Federal Management and Local Self-Government.

Aleksey Elin, Director of the Department for Spatial Development Planning at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, said: “We need a draft law on urban agglomerations where the term ‘urban agglomeration’ will be defined. The key issue is the urban agglomeration management system. There should be a contractual system based on an intermunicipal agreement. The key authority is the Coordination Council, which should include representatives of local and regional authorities, natural monopolies, etc. We need an urban agglomeration development plan and the authority responsible for its implementation.”

Viktor Ageev, First Deputy Head of Perm City Administration, said: “There is a great discrepancy between economic potential and legal regulation of Russia’s urban agglomerations. Clusters, a new push for development, have made it necessary to develop strategic planning documents for urban agglomerations, in particular, Perm Agglomeration Development Concept. A Council of Municipalities has been transformed into a Coordination Council. The municipality does not focus on reward, but on the lack of penalties.”

The discussion was also attended by: Andrei Maksimov, Chair of the Commission on Territorial Development and Local Government, Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation; Alexander Puzanov, General Director, The Institute for Urban Economics; Ilya Lagunov, Deputy Head of the Direction “Spatial Development”, Foundation “Center for Strategic Research”; Igor Babichev, Chief of Staff of the State Duma Committee for Federal Management and Local Self-Government.