Authors: Svetlana A. MAKOVKINA Master of Management, Senior Lecturer of Economics and Management Dept.

Abstract: The paper reveals key features of formation of regional policy in Russia and other developed countries, given the role of agglomerations in the process. The author considers the influence of the largest cities on socio-economic processes within macro-areas on the basis of foreign experience and analyses the scientific literature describing the processes through which agglomerations form national peculiarities of regional policy. Under the influence of agglomeration externalities (effects) on economic, political, social and infrastructure spheres, countries and regions encounter similar problems. In Russia, the largest municipalities with population in excess of one million also play a significant role in regional systems of production and resettlement exerting a substantial impact on socio-economic development of a region and the entire federation. Understanding the factors causing these problems will allow regional authorities of the Russian Federation to formulate an effective regional policy in respective direction.

Keywords: URBAN AGGLOMERATION, AGGLOMERATION EFFECTS, REGIONAL POLICY, LARGE MUNICIPALITIES, LARGEST CITIES