Diversity of cities as a factor of Russia’s successful spatial development

The diversity of cities, their systems and networks has greatly contributed to solving the problems of urban development and enhancing their role in the spatial development of the country. The article aims to show the need for diversity of cities, especially important for Russia due to its inherent differentiation, as the needs of cities of a certain type and category and the conditions of their formation and functioning. This makes the achievement of urban diversity one of the key goals of the state urban policy, ensuring the improvement of the territorial organization of Russia and its parts and improving the efficiency of its economy. The work is based on statistical data characterizing the dynamics of cities and their distribution over the territory; published works on geographical urban studies and socioeconomic development of Russia and its regions; on author’s experience in research of the cities and agglomerations, participation in the state examination of national economic projects, master plans of the large cities, territorial planning at country and regional levels. Historical, cartographic, statistical, comparative-geographical, typological, conceptual design methods are used. Multi-aspect consideration of the theme allowed to draw conclusions useful for successful state urban policy.