Innovative territory as a basic element in the spatial structure of the national innovation system

This paper defines the economic category of "state regional innovative development policy." An integrated approach to policy design and implementation promoting regional innovation-based growth corresponds to the strategic objective of improving overall quality of life and makes it possible to solve a broad range of issues, including stimulation of innovation, deployment of new production facilities, and mitigation of the negative impact of human activity on the environment. The territories of the Russian Federation are classified according to two criteria: the importance assigned to the national innovation system and the innovative capacity to solve problems of socioeconomic development (megacities, science cities, and territories with low scientific and technological potential). The original concept of the innovative development of territories is introduced. The mechanisms underpinning the development of local innovation systems, including various approaches to innovative development of territories with low innovation potential are investigated. Examples of territories where the concept of their innovative development was realized in practice are discussed (Tomsk oblast, science cities, and special economic zone). © 2016 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.