R-ECONOMY

Relevance. Inter-municipal cooperation is an effective tool for addressing resource deficits faced by municipalities, and its importance has grown in today’s context of socio-economic instability. However, the success of such cooperation largely depends on a careful selection of partners, which raises the question of how the strength of ties between municipalities impacts their ability to collaborate effectively. Research objective. The aim of this study is to explore how the spatial characteristics of interdependence between municipalities influence their interactions and cooperation. Data and methods. The research draws on official statistical data from Russia’s Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), as well as information from investment passports and municipal socio-economic development strategies. The study employs spatial correlation methods, cartographic analysis, and general research techniques, including analysis and synthesis. Results. The inter-municipal relationships in Sverdlovsk Region are highly uneven, with significant disparities in the level of involvement across different areas. These relationships are predominantly concentrated around the region’s administrative center and its neighboring municipalities, while the northern and eastern parts exhibit the weakest connectivity. Municipalities in the Ekaterinburg urban agglomeration are the most active participants in joint projects, whereas those in the southwestern part of the region show less involvement. The northern and eastern areas, in particular, demonstrate minimal engagement in forming partnerships with other municipalities, highlighting a stark regional imbalance. Conclusions. The study confirms a strong link between the interdependence of municipalities and the extent of their cooperation. Factors such as territorial and socio-economic proximity play a key role, but additional drivers, such as national or regional policies, also significantly influence inter-municipal collaboration. Interestingly, a lack of resources among potential partners does not appear to impede cooperation.

Relevance. External shocks can disrupt stable industrial development and technological modernization, especially in open single-industry regions that are highly vulnerable to global market fluctuations. The dominance of a single sector results in structural inertia, making it difficult for these regions to shift their economic trajectory. This path dependence amplifies the risks posed by economic turbulence, highlighting the need for changes in the economic structure and strategic guidelines for regional industrial policies. Objective. This study aims to describe the current, strategic, and future development paths for single-industry regions amid economic turbulence. It focuses on changes in the industrial profiles of metallurgical regions in Russia, including Lipetsk, Vologda, Murmansk, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, and Krasnoyarsk. Data and methods. The research uses publicly available statistics from 2008 to 2021, grounded in regional development theory. Methodologically, the study relies on coefficient analysis, positional-dynamic analysis, and assessment of technological connections between sectors. Results. The study has detected significant differences in regional adaptation: Lipetsk and Chelyabinsk are shifting towards low-tech sectors, Sverdlovsk maintains its metallurgical focus, Vologda is balancing metallurgy and a medium-high-tech chemical industry, while Murmansk and Krasnoyarsk are transforming with a focus on low-tech mineral extraction. Promising specializations include machine engineering in Sverdlovsk and Vologda, as well as machine engineering and electrical equipment production in Lipetsk and Chelyabinsk. However, we found discrepancies between the declared strategic goals and actual priorities in Lipetsk and Chelyabinsk. Conclusions. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and authorities, helping to update strategies for fostering the growth of promising industrial sectors.