Transformation of the system of spatial planning and urban zoning

Abstract

In light of the Russian Federation’s new Spatial Development Strategy, the article explores the challenges associated with institutional reform of the spatial planning and urban zoning documents (SPUZ) system. This system is examined as a collection of formal institutions intended to reduce transaction costs, based on the study’s neo-institutional approach. The author identifies three key imbalances in the system: inconsistencies among strategic, spatial, and urban zoning plans; the limited adaptability of these plans; and the resulting high costs for businesses and citizens. The paper demonstrates the necessity of a targeted transformation of the system based on an analysis of domestic practices (including empirical data on changes to documents) and relevant international experience with cascading models and digital platforms. The author focuses on the role of the master plan as a new strategic instrument. The findings allow us to make specific recommendations for harmonizing and digitally modernizing the SPUZ documentation system. These recommendations are structured around short-, medium-, and long-term timeframes, aiming to enhance the system’s effectiveness as a key instrument of state spatial policy. The use of artificial intelligence tools for creating predictive models of spatial development scenarios and evaluating investment risks will enable a shift from a reactive approach to addressing existing conflicts to a proactive approach to managing spatial development.