Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Territories of Leading Socio-Economic Development in Russian Single-City States

Single-industry towns, which make up a significant part of Russia's industrial heritage, face a range of socio-economic problems in modern conditions, including dependence on a single enterprise, population outflow and outdated infrastructure. One of the key instruments of state policy aimed at the revival of these territories has become the creation of priority social and economic development area (PSEDA). However, the effectiveness of this model requires careful analysis, especially in the absence of a unified system for evaluating the activities of PSEDA in single-industry towns. The purpose of this study – analyze the current state and a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the PSEDA established in single-industry towns in Russia, based on an analysis of publicly available information. The study uses the methodology of content analysis of the official websites of the PSEDA, regional and municipal authorities. Both quantitative and qualitative criteria are used to assess effectiveness. According to the results of the study, it was found that out of 89 single-industry towns, only a small part (18 territories) provides relevant economic indicators. A significant regional disparity has been identified: the Volga Federal District accounts for more than half of all residents. It is shown that the size of the city affects the number of residents, but is not a determining factor. The key problem is the fragmentation and incompleteness of the information provided, the lack of uniform reporting standards and the low level of control by state and municipal authorities. It is concluded that it is necessary to develop and implement a unified methodology for assessing the effectiveness of PSEDA in single-industry towns, as well as to create a mandatory reporting form to ensure transparency, comparability of data and the possibility of dynamic monitoring.