Strategic Planning in Towns and Villages: Facts and Opinions, 2016

Abstract

Th e article presents the results of the ICSER Leontief Center project aimed at studying the state of strategic planning and stimulating the participation of Russia’s urban settlements in strategic planning. An array of urban settlements in Russia was studied for the existence of strategic documents and experience in strategic planning on the basis of open sources. A list of 120 planning documents was compiled and analyzed. Based on 82 written responses to the questionnaire and 20 in-depth telephone interviews with representatives of local government bodies of urban and rural settlements, an overview of the facts about plan developers, participation of the local community, interaction with the authorities of municipal districts was made. Lists of arguments for and against strategic planning at the settlement level have been compiled. The study confirmed the hypothesis of a positive perception of strategic planning by settlements with relevant experience, and, in general, the usefulness of strategic planning in urban and large rural settlements. It is recommended while extending strategic planning to the level of settlements to start with their involvement in the development of strategies for municipal districts, to support activists who are trying to organize a strategic process in their settlement, to provide them with techniques and advice.