Трансформация административно-территориального устройства как условие жизнеустойчивости регионов Крайнего Северо-Востока России

Spatial transformations of the administrative-territorial division, exemplified by Magadan Oblast, have been analized. Under the low density and the continuing outflow of population, the high share of subsidies and the regional budget deficit, the option of further optimization of the administrative- territorial structure within the borders of the region is proposed in order to improve the mechanisms of territorial management, economic growth, and budget saving. The effect of possible modification of the administrative-territorial structure through the consolidation of municipalities, expressed in significant budget saving, is estimated. The necessity of searching for and implementing new ways and conditions of economic activity with the involvement of private capital in the area of servicing the vital activity of the territory is substantiated. The results of the study contribute to the formation of ideas on the trends of spatial development and socio-economic problems in the northern regions of Russia's Far East; they can be used by researchers when researching similar topics, as well as by public authorities when developing strategic documents on spatial regional development.