The “Five-Year Plan” of Spatial Development and Regional Policy of Russia: Running in Place or Readiness for a Sprint?

Abstract

This article considers trends in the field of spatial development and regional policy of the Russian Federation in the last five years against the backdrop of global trends, external challenges, and threats. The features of the so-called “eastern vector” of the spatial development of Russia as a new element of the country’s spatial policy and as an important direction of its cross-border interactions have been revealed. It has been shown that, so far, its implementation is dominated by state support for Far Eastern investment projects and priority development areas, while Siberia and its regions are practically excluded from this strategic initiative. Trends in the field of national, interregional, and regional strategizing have been analyzed (based on the example of the Strategy for the Spatial Development of the Russian Federation, the Strategy for the Socioeconomic Development of the Angara-Yenisey Macroregion, strategies and models of development and management implemented in the Novosibirsk and Kemerovo oblasts). Based on the analysis of the statements of the highest officials of the state, a synopsis of the latest strategic initiatives in the field of state management of spatial development processes has been formulated. The conclusion has been substantiated that even in the extremely difficult conditions of Russia’s development observed in the last five years, new strategic initiatives gradually began to appear, and new trends were formed. On the one hand, they provided grounds for cautious optimism regarding the modernization of regional policy and the spatial development of the country. On the other hand, under geopolitical and economic conditions that have taken shape since the spring of 2022, these trends should be reassessed in the light of new realities.