Strategizing sustainable development: the case of the Ural industrial regions

Abstract

The remit of the article is regional development strategizing. Regional development strategy as part of regional regulatory environment could ensure the task of sustainable development due to determining priorities for resource conservation, development of a “green” economy, and restoration of natural resources. This is especially important for the extractive economies of the Russian regions. On the contrary, the research revealed the preservation of extractive policies in most of the Ural regions. The manuscript contains the description of the ecological and economic position of the regions of the Ural macroregion, that have a high anthropogenic impact on the environment because of their nature of economy. We analysed the content of the development strategies of the regions of the Ural macroregion and the issues of sustainable development. The Chelyabinsk region and the Republic of Bashkortostan didn’t include sustainable development in the top priorities. It leads them to stick their place in the tail of the National Environmental Rating of Russian Regions. Orenburg region’s strategy conclude the most quality mechanisms for ensuring environmental safety in regional strategic documents. The author highlighted the comprehension of the deep interrelationships of ecological well-being with all spheres of human life in the development strategy of the Sverdlovsk region. The regional development strategy is an important mechanism for ensuring a balance between industrial growth and environmental conservation. Therefore, the authority of traditional industrial regions of the Urals should strengthen the component of sustainable development in their strategies.