Spatial Development Strategy for Russia Up to 2030: Innovations and Tasks for Solution

This article analyzes Russia’s Spatial Development Strategy for the period up to 2030 with a forecast until 2036 and compares its main provisions with the first document of this kind adopted in 2019. The new strategy was developed in 2024. The following features of the new Strategy are considered: a focus on a more harmonious and balanced spatial development of this country, including through distinguishing key population centers (KPCs); an attempt to link the document to sectoral strategies, while moving away from a narrow sector-centered approach; consideration of external challenges, natural and climatic changes, and many others. The following weaknesses, inconsistencies, and gaps of the document are noted: the risk that the implementation of the KPC concept will boost the depopulation of rural-type settlements even greater; lack of attention to the interconnectedness of settlements with different population sizes, small and medium urban agglomerations; polyethnic composition of many of the federal subjects; interregional and intermunicipal cooperation issues; vague criteria for identifying geostrategic territories; ways of and limitations for their development under geopolitical pressure, and others.