Orlov Alexey V.

November, 2022 will be the sixth time for Ekaterinburg to host "Cities of Russia 2030" the all-Russian strategic development forum. The agenda for this year’s discussion platform has been shaped by the turbulent processes of the external environment, so the burning issues on the agenda involve measures of protecting economy and social sphere from the negative consequences of sanctions pressure, labor market trends analysis, the future of the long-term development projects and previously formed territorial strategic plans. Anyway, on the eve of its 300th anniversary Ekaterinburg is part of the project, which organically generated from the Ural capital’s past, its geographical location features and economic specifics. This means the so-called Ekaterinburg agglomeration, which enjoyed a very bright and meaningful presentation at the Innoprom International Industrial Exhibition this July, when a series of joint operation agreements between Ekaterinburg authorities and the satellite towns was signed. The focus on unity, efficient joint work, convergence of resources and mutually beneficial exchange of management practices is highly timely, say urban experts. Actually, as for today, the civil society needs cohesion and coherence more than ever. In this sense, the Ekaterinburg agglomeration is meant to give a good example of addressing the challenges of time and place: no pressure, but respect; no "strong" and "weak" categorization, but clear understanding of the value of each structural element; no edification, but considering best practices, regardless municipality size. Nevertheless, the dominant paint for this giant "puzzle" canvas is chosen by the current metropolis. How the administrative center of the region determines its integration role, what the Ural’s capital sees itself in 50 years, Alexei Orlov, Head of Ekaterinburg told in his exclusive interview with our publication.