Strategy for the urban environment development of the regional capital: prospects and challenges

The article discusses approaches to strategic planning of the urban environment of the regional capital and the challenges that need to be overcome in the course of preparing a strategic development project. Strategic planning of the urban environment of the regional capital has its own important distinctive features. This is due to the status and mission of the administrative centre of the territory. A review of the literature shows the relevance of the research topic and social practice of solving current and future challenges. The strategic planning of the urban environment of the regional capital should be based on such criteria as the involvement of citizens in strategic planning and assessment of the effectiveness of strategies, harmonious development of the urban ecosystem, sustainable social and economic development of the city, infrastructural and administrative support for innovation, increasing social capital, safety of the urban environment in all its manifestations and ensuring the democratic rights and freedoms of citizens. We show the key challenges and vectors of development of the urban environment on the example of the analysis of the development strategy of the capital of the southern region of Russia – Stavropol. The results of a survey of citizens and the business community give an idea of the comfortable urban environment in terms of living and doing business, they are an important addition to understanding the problem areas of the regional capital development.