Regional spatial development issues of the Central Federal District

Aim. The work aimed to structure and assess the spatial development issues of the Central Federal District (CFD) regions.

Objectives. The work seeks to characterize current spatial development issues in the CFD entities; to demonstrate the consequences of concentrating economic growth in a limited number of  territories; to study the tendency of declining the share of residents of small and mediumsized cities and rural areas among the Russian population; to examine changes in interregional disparities in socio-economic development; to assess the impact of scientific and technological progress on spatial development in Russia; to analyze interregional disparities in socio-economic development in the CFD regions, as well as to identify leaders and outsiders; to explore international experience in addressing demographic issues; and to assess the demographic situation across Russia.

Methods. We applied general scientific principles of systemic, historical, and comparative analysis of regional issues affecting territorial development indicators. The study is based on an analysis of regional statistics and regulatory documents. Deduction and induction were used to identify the common and specific features in various models of interaction between territorial systems. In order to summarize and systematize the information obtained, we used content analysis to identify examples of the spatial development of the RF regions and examine the causes and context of regional development pathways.

Results. In the course of summarizing and studying the theoretical foundations of regional economics and identifying key methods for its implementation in the scientific works of Russian and international scientists, we analyzed the current state of spatial development in the constituent entities of Russia. Specifically, we structured the problems of spatial development in the CFD regions, highlighted achievements and mechanisms for solving emerging problems, and identified areas of regional cooperation and prospects for spatial development in the federal districts in the context of rapidly developing regional economies and the new geopolitical reality that has emerged in the country.

Conclusions. The study confirmed the existence of regional problems and differences in the spatial development of Russian constituent entities. The work established the need for a differentiated approach, combining consideration of initial potential opportunities and the selection of tools for solving complex regional spatial problems. Russian constituent entities are characterized by a high level of differentiation across many macroeconomic and regional indicators. Interregional disparities in the socio-economic development of individual Russian constituent entities are changing due to emerging social, cultural, household, and economic problems. The growing risk of staff shortage, especially for regions with high population outflow, creates demographic problems not only in the regional labor market, but in the country as a whole. The increasing influence of scientific and technological progress on the spatial development of  the country and its regions is caused by the expansion of industrial innovation potential within the Strategy for the Development of the Manufacturing Industry of the Russian Federation to  2030 and for the period up to  2035.

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