Strategic Priorities for Territorial Development

Sustainable territorial development (macro-regions, regions, and municipalities) is a key national priority. Its implementation depends on strategic management, the analysis of the internal and external environments, the selection of strategic priorities, and long-term development guidelines. This article describes the strategic priorities for regional socio-economic development using the Vologda Region as a case study. The research examined municipalities with a single urban center and internal connectivity across various spheres of public life. It employed the theory of strategy and the strategizing methodology developed by Professor V.L. Kvint, alongside cartographic visualization and OTSW analysis, which identified development priorities based on the competitive advantages of each territory. The strategic planning challenges in the Vologda Region were linked to deficiencies in planning documents, which focused on regional opportunities, challenges, and limitations while over-unifying strategic priorities. The threats and opportunities for the sustainable development of local territories proved to be shaped by global and national trends. The research identified specific strategic priorities for the Veliky Ustyug and Babayevo municipal districts, supported by their competitive advantages. The research design is applicable to similar regional studies; furthermore, public and local authorities in the Vologda Region can utilize these findings to update their socio-economic development strategies.