Moscow city expansion: An alternative based on central place theory

Abstract

In this paper, the authors criticize the recent decision to expand Moscow’s territory in its administrative borders by 2.35 times. A significantly more reasonable decision would come from the central place theory and, first of all, from its relativistic modification that describes agglomeration as an extreme degree of compactness within an urban settlement network covering a territory of dozens or hundreds of thousands of square miles. We introduce and employ the concept of a dispersed central place defined as a polynucleated formation functioning as an integrated entity thanks to progress in intra-agglomeration transport systems. The development of a second hierarchical level, using dispersed central places, for example, Yaroslavl-Kostroma-Rybinsk, Vladimir-Kovrov-Ivanovo, and Tula-Novomoskovsk-Kaluga-Obninsk, will increase the degree of stability of the discussed settlement system. Dispersed central places can become an alternative to the federal capital in attracting migration flows from other regions and countries. The fourth dispersed central place-Voronezh-Lipetsk-Yelets-is expected to shape itself by 2030 under the second hierarchical level, and its development will bring more stability to the overall system.