Аннотация:The article reviews the main elements of the concepts of an edge city and post-suburbia. Based on these theories it then examines the city of Khimki as one of the fast growing subcentres of Moscow Oblast. The forces behind the development of the city are considered, including the ideology and practice governing urban growth, and major factors responsible for the decision-making. The processes in Khimki are compared with those characteristic of the Western models of post-suburbia.