Theoretical and methodological aspects of municipal development under the New Normal

The New Normal is notable for considerable uncertainty of socioeconomic develop ment of the country, its regions and municipalities. The paper aims to identify a set of theo retical and methodological techniques employed to study the functioning and development of municipalities and municipal development in general. The research demonstrates that ideas and tenets of institutionalism and evolutionary economics, as well as the economic analysis concepts are capable of forming a theoretical-methodological platform for determining the specifics of the municipal development under the New Normal. Methodological basis of the research rests on the heuristic, situation, chorological and other approaches. In terms of methods, the paper benefits from the use of abstract thinking, analysis and synthesis. The research highlights that the application of various spatial theories keeps on being relevant to study the development of municipalities and their systems in the context of highly disputable and uncertain priorities, directions, goals and objectives of national and regional development. The author argues that overcoming the problems addressed in the paper will favour a more justified specification of the most important thrusts of municipal economy and policy. The findings can help improve the strategic plans of municipalities by tailoring them, i. e. choosing by each city own avenues, forms, and methods of moving towards the declared goals.