Factors of regional economy optimization and possible evolution of productive forces have been investigated in the light of the modern economic trends based on the analysis of spatial distribution of the geochemical and geophysical fields and stages of the Ural territorial development. Specific climatic conditions and modern humanenvironment interactions have also been taken into consideration. Factors of depopulation and disintegration have been identified for some territories in the Ural range. A special attention is given to the strengthening of interaction between the subjects of the Ural Federal Okrug and the Ural economic area in the Ural highlands. Formation of a symmetric transport arrangement has been offered along the western and eastern slopes of the Urals; and novel string railway systems have been tested and implemented in the region.

  The development is featured with the application of natural science methodology to the analysis of the spatial transformation of productive forces in the Ural: estimations of resource potential in terms of the clarke approach and an original accounting technique applied for the cumulative action of economic and ecological factors on economic subjects.