TITLE:
Conceptual Model for Sustainable Development of Regional Economic Systems Based on Hypercluster Architecture
AUTHORS:
Anna Polukhina, Dmitry Napolskikh, Vladimir Lezhnin
KEYWORDS:
Hypercluster, Sustainable Development, Regional Economic System, Innovation Ecosystem, Digital Platform, Governance Mechanisms, Implementation Tools, Sustainability Forecast, Eurasian Economic Cooperation, Russia-China Partnership, Green Technologies
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.3,
March
31,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study aims to develop a comprehensive conceptual model for the sustainable development of regional economic systems (RES), grounded in the architecture of an innovation hypercluster. The urgency of this research stems from the need to transition from traditional sectoral models to networked, platform-based ecosystems capable of synergizing economic growth, technological sovereignty, and ecological sustainability in an era of global turbulence. The article proposes a detailed model integrating three core components: 1) a network of regional innovation clusters as specialized nodes; 2) a system of digital platforms serving as connective tissue and coordination infrastructure; 3) institutional-managerial and financial ecosystems providing the support environment. For each component, specific functional mechanisms and tools are detailed, ranging from digital twins of value chains and maps of technological competencies to mechanisms for “green” crowdlending and joint development funds. An empirical analysis of the model’s implementation potential is conducted within the context of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Russia-China strategic partnership. By examining trade statistics, investment flows, and strategic documents, specific growth points are identified: cross-border hyperclusters in agrotech, hydrogen energy, logistics, and digital infrastructure. The practical significance of this work lies in providing regulators and businesses with a detailed “roadmap” featuring step-by-step implementation mechanisms, measurable KPIs, and scenario-based forecasts. Projections indicate that establishing even one cross-border hypercluster (e.g., “Smart Agro-Industrial Complex”) by 2030 could lead to a 15% - 20% increase in sectoral value-added, a 25% - 30% reduction in carbon footprint, and the creation of up to 50,000 high-tech jobs, thereby ensuring comprehensive resilience gains by 2035.