Sociological studies for the analysis of formation of the metropolitan agglomerations in Kazakhstan (case study of the Astana city)
The experience of using the results of sociological studies for the analysis of the Astana agglomeration development is discussed. Basing on the results of questioning the inhabitants of the Astana city and other settlements located in its zone of influence, possible application of a social evaluation technique for the territory of forming agglomeration is described, as well as the tools used for collection and application of information necessary for identifying the agglomeration borders. Commuter migration of population is analyzed in terms of the purposes, directions and intensity of respondents' travelling between the Astana city and settlements around it, which indicates the density of various relationships within the agglomeration and, thus, provides an objective basis for decision making.