Spatial development as a factor of cities’ sustainability

The article focuses on the spatial conditions of sustainable urban development. They cannot develop without taking into account its inherent tendencies. Using the example of the Russian Federation, the authors performed an analysis of the spatial factor of urban development. The directions of its influence are established; the zoning in the spatial development of the country is highlighted; the laws and tendencies of the transformation of cities under the influence of changes in the economic space were established. The authors substantiated the need to coordinate the development strategies of Russian cities with the measures of the state regional policy. This will allow taking into account the peculiarities of the regions and territories in which the cities are located. It also shows the need for faster development of transport infrastructure in Russia, which increases the coherence of the economic space of the country, stimulates interregional and intercity (inter-settlement) communications. Concerning the zone of the Russian European Core, recommendations were given on prioritizing measures and tools for sustainable urban development. It has been proposed to take into account in the state and municipal policy the main vectors of spatial development (West - East; North - South; Center -Periphery)