IT clusters as drivers of urbanization and human capital growth

This article presents a comprehensive investigation into the interrelationship among IT industry clustering, urbanization processes, and human capital formation. The author aims to identify the mechanisms and consequences through which the spatial concentration of high-tech firms and associated institutions transforms urban environments and fosters knowledge development. The study employs qualitative analysis, drawing on a review of contemporary theoretical frameworks, a comparative examination of domestic and international experiences, and in-depth case studies—specifically Innopolis, Akademgorodok in Novosibirsk, and the Skolkovo Innovation Center. The findings reveal the ambivalent role of IT clusters. On the one hand, they serve as powerful catalysts for the qualitative development of urban agglomerations by attracting talent and investment and stimulating specialized infrastructure. On the other hand, the research identifies a persistent structural siphoning effect: clusters concentrate resources, thereby exacerbating regional imbalances, triggering human capital outflow from peripheral areas, and intensifying intra-regional polarization. The central conclusion underscores the critical need for an evolution in public policy—from selective support for «champion» projects toward a strategy of managed innovation diffusion. Achieving balanced territorial development requires deliberate institutional interventions that transform clusters from mere agglomeration hubs into nodes for knowledge dissemination and integral components of a national innovation network.