Abstract: The object of the study is the macroregion as one of the elements of the territorial management system, and its purpose is to identify the limitations and prospects for use in modern conditions of the zoning policy. Special attention is paid to determining the prerequisites for the successful implementation of this type of policy, carried out through the prism of an analysis of both Soviet and modern approaches to the allocation of macro-regions in the country's space. An important place in the conducted research is also occupied by the identification of a number of conceptual provisions that ensure the effectiveness of the implemented zoning policy, which makes it possible to use the results of the work carried out in the activities of authorities at various levels, which form and implement a system of measures aimed at ensuring the spatial development of the country and its individual territorial units. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is a set of scientific ideas in the field of regional economics and public administration, and its methodological base includes methods of synthesis and scientific abstraction. As a result of the conducted research, a method of express analysis of the implemented zoning policy is proposed, based on the characteristics of the triad of components of its success: target setting, criteria, mechanisms for achieving goals. It is shown that in Soviet practice, all the elements of this triad can be considered clearly defined and interrelated with each other; in the case of federal districts, the triad is transformed: one of its elements falls out of the system, which, nevertheless, does not significantly affect the resulting effect. The analysis of the approach to the allocation of macroregions proposed in the Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation is carried out, which allows us to conclude that each element of the triad "goal – criteria – mechanisms" of the emergence of macroregions can be seriously criticized, which causes the lack of influence of this process on the situation in the country. The possibility of using a project approach to the formation and development of macroregions in modern rapidly changing conditions, involving their consideration as temporary associations, the rules of functioning of which are subordinated to the achievement of a specific and ambitious goal, is substantiated. A number of conceptual provisions are characterized that ensure the success of the implemented zoning policy and are based on the need to pay attention to each element of the proposed triad.

Abstract: Currently, the development of urban agglomerations is recognized as one of the key prerequisites for accelerating the economic growth of large-scale economic systems. The study is devoted to the conceptual foundations of this process. The author considers the logic of the organization and development of agglomerations; identifies the features of the functioning of agglomerations in modern conditions; studies the principles that should underlie their development. The work is based on the use of data from the Federal State Statistics Service, and its methodological base includes general scientific methods of theoretical and empirical cognition. It is shown that a significant aspect of the functioning of the agglomeration is the close relationship between its elements. The importance of this aspect is also proved by the results of the analysis of the functioning of the Yekaterinburg urban agglomeration, which is characterized by the redistribution of functionality between its constituent municipalities. The suburbs increase their importance as a place to live in and work, while the central parts of the agglomeration retain the role of a service center. As a result of the study methodological principles of agglomerations development are formulated: a differentiated approach to determining landmarks, mechanisms and institutions of transformation processes, institutionalization of the object, the systemic nature of space transformation, the absence of barriers of interaction between elements, the availability of a resource basis for development. The results obtained can be used in the activities of public authorities that determine and implement regional policy.

Abstract: Economic zoning is an important instrument of regional policy; however, its impact upon solution of the territorial issues of macroregions that are built on other (noneconomic) grounds remains quite ambiguous. This research is dedicated to verification of the hypothesis on possibility of reducing the discrepancy between the parameters of territorial development as a result of their unification into a macroregion, which is formed primarily on the administrative principles. Research methodology leans on assessment of the parameter variations of interterritorial disparities in retrospect; methodological toolset includes the calculation of coefficients that characterize the degree of heterogeneity of cumulative data (coefficients of variation, asymmetry, and excess). The article uses the example of the Ural Federal District. The conducted analysis reveals that the scale of intraterritorial disparities typical for the district at the stage of its formation has not decreased over time; moreover, the difference between the parameters of the development of individual regions has increased. It is proven that the unification of territorial systems solely through administrative transformations does not mitigate the problems of excessive asymmetry of their development; and connectedness of the regions that proceeds from such transformations is often nominal. The acquired conclusions offer a critical insight into the instruments for managing socioeconomic processes in the territories of different levels, and can be taken into account in implementation of the regional policy.