Political and Administrative Agglomeration Management: Problems of Conceptualization

Abstract

The paper examines the conceptual analysis of the existing scientific views concerning political and administrative machine apparatus of urban agglomerations. It is an original approach to the problems under consideration in that it applies the approaches of political science, while in general they are regarded with within the scope of economy, urban studies, and management, etc. The aim of the research is to create a political science concept in order to analyze how to use political and administrative resources in agglomeration management on the national, sub-­national and local levels. The research methodology is based on the use of the neo-­institutional and conflictological approaches. The former embraces the theories of institutional changes and spatial development; the latter includes the institutionalization of conflicts and collaborative and critical planning. On the basis of the analysis carried out in the research the author offers to introduce the concept according to which it is possible to use political and administrative resources on three levels, viz., political and institutional, political and administrative, and political and operational. On the first level, the general parameters for the agglomeration management functioning, set up by the institutional design of the political system, are defined. Next, the optimal agglomeration management model is selected and political and administrative practices that suit its development are introduced. Finally, the interaction of the actors involved in the agglomeration development through different types of planning and negotiations are administered. The approach introduced and analyzed in the research makes it possible to consider the problems of political and administrative management in the sphere of urban agglomerations within the scope of relevant approaches used by political science.