Rural development in urban agglomeration: assessments of heads of municipalities

Urban agglomerations are currently the focus of attention of government authorities and scientists. Due to the limited possibilities of the statistical base for analyzing the development of agglomerations, an important role belongs to sociological methods of their research. This will make it possible to assess agglomeration processes and effects, identify factors and problems of agglomeration development and, based on this, substantiate promising areas and tools for the development of these territories as integrated socio-economic systems. This article analyzes the specifics of the development of rural territories («rural» municipalities) in the urban agglomeration (Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Kaluga, Norilsk, Surgut, Tambov, Khanty-Mansiysk and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk agglomerations) based on a questionnaire survey conducted in late 2023 and early 2024 by the heads of municipalities of these agglomerations. According to the results of the study, the proportion of heads of municipalities in rural areas who indicated the manifestation of positive agglomeration effects is noticeably lower than in the core and other urban settlements of the agglomeration (the gap in respondents’ responses between urban and rural ranges from 12 to 65 percentage points). The main problems and factors limiting the prospects for effective development of agglomerations are identified. Recommendations to the authorities on the formation of a management system for the development of the agglomeration are justified (taking into account the priorities identified in the respondents’ responses).