Formation of metropolitan areas is an objective process of the settlement system. Almost all major Russian cities are the centers of metropolitan areas. With the growth and development of the cities come into increasingly close ties with the surrounding communities, there are needs in a consistent socio-economic, territorial, transport and engineering development. Today in Russia, attempts to solve these problems by administrative means, to confluence and "absorption" of the major municipalities of smaller ones are widespreaded. At the same time, experience shows that improved governance through administrative changes is minimal, and the cost of such solutions are, at least, not less than the expected benefits. The debate is scheduled to discuss the trends of spatial development and possible models (including inter-municipal cooperation) coordination of social and economic development and spatial agglomeration.