S and T development for a period of 20 years covering such areas as effective siting of the productive forces In the region, major directions of concentration and special lzatlon of science and technology, reconstruction of production and optimal' distribution of capital Investment. Complex S and T development programmes for big towns are elaborated In such a manner that they ensure the fulfillment of the AI !-Union branch programmes In the framework of towns. These programmes should assure the contribution of each town Into S&T progress of the country with due account of Its regional specla• I lzatlon and resource possibilities. On the other hand, theY 338 should als6 ensure scientific and technological progress In the sphere of production and social Infrastructure. S end T develop­ ment programmes of big towns Include forecasting of demographic situation and manpower resources~ natural resources end environ­ ment protection. On the basis of analysis and forecasting of these Indicators one formulates major tasks of S end T progress for a perspective and subtantleted basic directions ·of S and T development of a town. These tasks and directions receive concrete description In draft target programmes of municipal development. In Its turn, after elaboration end approval of target programmes the prop9sals on their first priority measures are Included Into the five-year plan of ·economic end social development. Regional S and T forecasts and regional complex programmes serve the basis for the elabortlon of General schemes of siting the productive forces In the USSR as a whole, the Union republics and big towns. Regional S end T development problems constitute a special section In the Complex programme of S and T progress of the USSR. This section reflects: basic principles of regional scientific­ technological and socio-economic pol Icy for perspective, basic direction of S end T Impact on the development and siting of 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be focused on the development of scientific and technological capabilities in urban areas, with the goal of contributing to the overall economic and social development of the country. The text mentions the development of programs for big towns, forecasting of demographic and natural resources, and the formulation of major tasks and directions for S&T progress. This suggests that the text is primarily concerned with economic development and the role of science and technology in driving it.

**Category**
Economic development, Science and technology