Subject. Municipal management system, formation of economic growth centers. Objectives. Identifying factors hindering the implementation of strategic spatial development priorities of the Russian Federation. Methods. Expert survey with elements of interviewing. Results. The desire of local authorities to take a more active role in the development of key settlements contradicts the essence of the principle of support, which implies giving priority to the interests of the country's spatial development as a whole. There remains uncertainty regarding the financial support for the ability of key settlements to carry out a number of important functions in relation to adjacent territories. However, all experts noted that the key settlements have the potential to become centers of economic growth. Conclusions. Leaders of key settlements adopt a paternalistic approach to addressing the economic problems of the regions, whereas the development of economic growth centers requires the activation of civil society institutions. Special legislation is needed to regulate the creation, functioning, and development of key settlements.
Keywords: key settlement, adjacent territories, spatial development, central place theory, institutional factors
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