Theory and Practice of Delineation of Urban Agglomerations and Their Cores in Russia and International Context

The article provides a comprehensive analysis and systematization of methods for determining the boundaries (delineation) of urban agglomerations (conceptually close to metropolitan areas or functional urban areas in international practice) and their cores (urban areas). In Russian and international practice. The research objective is to determine the applicability of various methods and criteria for delineation at the stages of identifying minimum statistical units, forming urban areas, as well as potential and developed agglomerations. Seven methodological approaches used in determining the boundaries of agglomerations are considered: administrative, morphological, functional, network, economic, cognitive, and demographic. Each of them is characterized by its underlying assumptions, scope of application, and limitations. It is shown that the morphological approach is most suitable for identifying urban areas, the functional approach is best for determining the boundaries of potential and developed agglomerations, and the administrative approach—for subsequent adjustment of urban cores and agglomerations. The application of the systemic-structural paradigm made it possible to establish a correspondence between the stages of delineation and forms of settlement pattern: a minimum statistical unit is an element of the settlement pattern network, an urban area is a settlement pattern node, a potential agglomeration is part of the territorial structure, and a developed agglomeration is a territorial system. As a result of the research, the scope of application and limitations of each methodological approach at different stages of delineation were determined. Key problems arising in the practical application of criteria have been identified and analyzed. These include the appropriateness of using different administrative-territorial units at different stages of urban agglomeration delineation, the choice of reference points and means of transport for measuring distances and travel times, and the problem of “self-potential” in gravity models. Solutions to these problems are proposed. It is shown that the choice of the delineation goal—identifying an area with potential for joint development (potential urban agglomeration) or a territory with already established intensive connections (developed urban agglomeration)—is decisive for the final boundaries of the agglomeration. The obtained results provide a basis for developing unified approaches to identifying urban agglomerations and their cores In Russia.

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