«Big Sarov»: explicit and implicit consequences of territorial deployment of science

The possibilities of developing fundamental science outside of large agglomerations, primarily in places with a high concentration of research and development, are considered. It is shown that the territorial location of scientific centers and large installations generates effects related to the diversification of the economy of cities, the interaction of defense and civil science, with forms of international cooperation, organizational and legal definition of scientific projects of the “mega-science” class, the development of quality of life, etc. An attempt is made to reveal the causes of these effects and their impact on the development of scientific activities. On the example of the project of the Center for Fundamental Science in Sarov, theoretical and practical solutions to issues related to the peculiarities of territorial placement are proposed.