Understanding Shrinkage in European Regions

Shrinkage in European regions is a complex phenomenon because of its multi-dimensional, multi-scalar and multitemporal character; its causes and effects are only partially understood. The contributors to this issue examine the meaning of shrinkage, its causes and effects, and in so doing seek to increase our understanding of the phenomenon. The first three articles discuss the theoretical and conceptual debates on shrinkage. These are followed by a series of case studies: four from post-socialist countries in Central and Eastern Europe and three from Western Europe.

 

• Understanding Shrinkage in European Regions
  Marco Bontje and Sako Musterd
• From Long-Term Shrinkage to Re-Growth? The Urban Development Trajectories of Liverpool and Leipzig
  Dieter Rink, Annegret Haase, Katrin Grossmann, Chris Couch and Matthew Cocks
• Time-Space Relations and the Diff erences between Shrinking Regions
  Josje J. Hoekveld
• Urban Shrinkage and the Post-Socialist Transformation: The Case of Poland
  Tadeusz Stryjakiewicz, Przemysław Ciesiółka, Emilia Jaroszewska
• Shrinking Cities in Romania: Former Mining Cities in Valea Jiului
  Ilinca Păun Constantinescu
• Urban Shrinkage and Everyday Life in Post-Socialist Cities: Living with Diversity in Hrušov, Ostrava, Czech Republic
  Marieke Maes, Maarten Loopmans and Christian Kesteloot
• Causes, Consequences and Challenges of Shrinkage: The Case of Small Cities in a Transition Society
  Jasmina Siljanoska, Vlatko P. Korobar and Jasna Stefanovska
• Urban Shrinkage and Socio-Spatial Disparities: Are the Remedies Worse than the Disease?
  Sylvie Fol
• Shrinkage Perceptions and Smart Growth Strategies for the Municipalities of Portugal
  Thomas Panagopoulos and Ana Paula Barreira
• European Regional Population Decline and Policy Responses: Three Case Studies
  Roos Galjaard, Leo Van Wissen and Kim Van Dam