Factors influencing the transformation of the functional and spatial structure of St. Petersburg agglomeration in the 2020-s

Abstract

The aim of this article is to propose and illustrate, through specific examples, a detailed list of factors influencing the transformation of the functional and spatial structure of the Saint Petersburg agglomeration in the period from 2020 to 2024, as analyzed by the authors. In this study, the functional structure of the urban agglomeration refers to its economy, employment structure, and specialization, while the spatial (geographical) structure refers to the settlement system, connected by transport and engineering infrastructure. The list of factors is based on the expert opinions of the authors, substantiated by quantitative parameters, and supported by relevant examples. The factors are examined at the structural-economic, economic-geographical, infrastructural, technological, innovative, and socio-demographic levels. The analytical basis of the research includes strategic documents at both regional and national levels, data from the SPARK-Interfax database, as well as departmental materials.