Methodology for Identifying the Boundaries of Agglomerations based on Statistical Data

Significant difference in development between the municipalities is an obstacle for achieving economic sustainability many Russian regions. Regional strategies and plans of various often cannot be synchronised because their incompatibility. Moreover, usually lack necessary resources to implement strategies. To solve these problems, we identified groups (key units settlement system (KUSS)) based on existing socio-eco- nomic relations, common challenges potential. We propose a methodology identifying KUSS describe its application. This relies statistical data available at municipal level. assess interconnection municipalities, used 6 socio-economic indicators 1 integrated index Gross Municipal Product (GMP). The first demonstrated, that less developed tend more ones. values gross product define high mutual attraction large (similar gravity model). distance reduced influence. Due limited set, it was consider reliability inter-municipal relations. Thus, compared obtained results with empirical population distribution circular migration region. comparison our calculations actual showed precision presented methodology. resulting grouping allowed 21 key Sverdlovsk oblast. proposed can deter- mining oblast, as well other