Abstract: Currently, the development of urban agglomerations is recognized as one of the key prerequisites for accelerating the economic growth of large-scale economic systems. The study is devoted to the conceptual foundations of this process. The author considers the logic of the organization and development of agglomerations; identifies the features of the functioning of agglomerations in modern conditions; studies the principles that should underlie their development. The work is based on the use of data from the Federal State Statistics Service, and its methodological base includes general scientific methods of theoretical and empirical cognition. It is shown that a significant aspect of the functioning of the agglomeration is the close relationship between its elements. The importance of this aspect is also proved by the results of the analysis of the functioning of the Yekaterinburg urban agglomeration, which is characterized by the redistribution of functionality between its constituent municipalities. The suburbs increase their importance as a place to live in and work, while the central parts of the agglomeration retain the role of a service center. As a result of the study methodological principles of agglomerations development are formulated: a differentiated approach to determining landmarks, mechanisms and institutions of transformation processes, institutionalization of the object, the systemic nature of space transformation, the absence of barriers of interaction between elements, the availability of a resource basis for development. The results obtained can be used in the activities of public authorities that determine and implement regional policy.