Since the second half of 20th century, urban shrinkage has become a common pathway transformation for many large cities across globe. Although appearance is fairly universal—typically manifested in dwindling population, emerging vacant spaces, and underuse existing infrastructure, ranging from schools parks to water pipelines—its essence hidden view. Phenomena related have been discussed predominantly using terms such as decline, decay, blight, abandonment, disurbanization, crisis,...

The issue of urban shrinkage has become the new ‘normal’ across Europe: a large number areas find themselves amongst cities losing population. According to recent studies, almost 42 per cent all European are currently shrinking. In eastern Europe, shrinking have formed overwhelming majority – here, three out four report decrease in Shrinkage proved be very diverse and complex phenomenon. our understanding, considerable constant loss population by an area classifies it as city. So, while...

Abstract Recent discussions of urban governance have emphasized a trend towards the ‘entrepreneurialization’ local politics. This model has been intensively discussed and well documented. However, although this concept tested in economically prosperous locations, less attention paid to situation marginalized regions characterized by weak economy declining population. Taking eastern Germany as an example socio‐economic context marked deindustrialization population decline, article discusses...

Abstract This article discusses the question of how urban shrinkage gets onto agenda public‐policy agencies. It is based on a comparison agenda‐setting histories four E uropean cities, L iverpool ( UK ), eipzig G ermany), enoa I taly) and B ytom P oland), which have all experienced severe population losses but show very different with respect to local governments reacted them. We use political‐science concepts ‘systemic vs. institutional agendas’ ‘policy windows’ as conceptual frame compare...

Abstract This essay reflects on the conceptual underpinnings of research ‘shrinking cities' over last decade. It criticizes definition shrinkage in terms urban population losses and argues that state‐of‐the art suffers from a misleading conceptualization which forces essentially different constellations into universal model ‘shrinkage'. Four problems this procrustean bed are discussed detail: methodological pitfalls threshold definitions shrinkage; empirical contradictions; an absence...

Abstract Using a mix of survey data, results from study on local planning politics and fieldwork, this article discusses the interplay welfare policies with global financial markets in ‘making’ social segregation Halle‐Neustadt, borough German city Halle (Saale). Here, different developments come together. First, Halle‐Neustadt has experienced two waves privatization, leading to complete change ownership structures, marked by rise investors. Second, cuts have put increasing pressure...

Building on Peter Marcuse's definition of displacement, this paper examines Berlin's urban renewal policy since the 1990s and studies how different definitions displacement support alternatives. It argues that conceptualisation is not merely an academic exercise, but has enormous political implications. We show theoretical differences in have been taken up by policy‐makers used as justification for withdrawal from 'welfarist' politics market intervention to be replaced advisory services...

With some delay ‘comparative urbanism’ has now arrived in the long-established field of gentrification research. If there is one thing debate between Asher Ghertner and Ernesto Lopez-Morales in...

Over the last several years, an increasing number of scholarly contributions have questioned usefulness concept gentrification for cases outside context in which term was originally developed. The paper builds on this debate and explores unfolding two contrasting environments undergoing post-socialist transformations. It analyzes course urban upgrading Prenzlauer Berg East Berlin as well central city Saint Petersburg, arguing that while transformation from a planned economy to market system...

Throughout the last two decades, large housing estates in eastern Germany have become scene of an increased concentration low-income households. At same time, considerable shifts structure home ownership been documented these areas. National and international investors acquired stocks here a fundamental part local markets. This paper discusses connection between both developments. Based on case study Halle (Saale) Schwerin, it is argued that relative impoverishment can be traced back to...

Rampant suburbanisation is one of the most visible changes evidenced in cities throughout Central and Eastern Europe past three decades. In this paper, we analyse how unfolded East Germany after reunification. We do against background ongoing debates about usefulness meaning term post-socialism that have questioned self-enclosed spatiality concept suggest giving neoliberalisation a more central role analysing experienced part world. show process rested on neoliberal policy orientations: (1)...

Abstract Contrary to the expectations many urban scholars had after end of socialism, it has taken almost thirty years for gentrification become a significant development trend in Central and Eastern Europe. The reason this delay is that there are massive ‘commodification gaps’—institutional barriers valorization land housing—which could only be overcome with great difficulties. In article, which based on an empirical study two second‐tier cities East Germany Poland, we pick up issue focus...

This article explores the interrelation of gentrification and public policies in neighbourhoods Prenzlauer Berg (Berlin) Harlem (New York City). It draws on Karl Polanyi’s concept a ‘double movement’ argues that is fundamentally political process. Thus, while demise face market forces, or even an active support gentrification, clearly visible both neighbourhoods, relation between also highly unstable contradictory. The cases studied highlight resources to push prevent are contingent; they...

While population losses have accompanied urban development since the emergence of first cities, it has only been quite recently that "shrinkage" become a field research in its own rights. Critical scholarly stands somewhat difficult relation to this situation. On one hand, there are numerous contributions calling for general "acceptance" shrinkage and more "openness" towards planning reduced size. other can find criticize limits existing rightsizing policies, describing smart as an...

In this article, we focus on ways in which ‘internal migration industries’ shape the housing location of refugees cities. Based empirical studies Halle, Schwerin, Berlin, Stuttgart and Dresden, bring two issues together. First, show how a specific financialised accumulation model renting out privatised public stock to disadvantaged parts population has emerged that increasingly targets migrant tenants. With growing immigration Germany since 2015, intensified. Second, discuss access is formed...

Ostdeutschland ist in den vergangenen Jahren verstärkt zum Thema öffentlicher und wissenschaftlicher Debatten geworden. Neben Pegida AfD haben dabei auch neue Zahlen zur Segregation ostdeutschen Städten das wissenschaftliche Interesse wiederbelebt. Der Beitrag kritisiert vor diesem Hintergrund die weitgehende Ausblendung institutioneller Perspektiven der Ostdeutschlandforschung sowie fehlende Berücksichtigung von Sonderbedingungen Stadtforschung. An Beispielen Restitutionsregelungen...

Increasing socio-spatial inequalities in Europe have led to a revival of the term “peripheralization” urban and regional research. In this context, peripheralization is often seen as an outcome powerlessness. It stated that peripheralized actors are lacking capacities influence decisions or excluded from decision-making networks. This paper contributes understanding relationship between power by empirically testing if notion “powerless” peripheries holds true light established theories on...

In recent years, the question of how urban spaces support arrival immigrants has found increased attention among scholars. The emerging discussion uses terms like cities, neighbourhoods, spaces, contexts, or infrastructures to refer local conditions which immigrant inclusion. This discussion, however, tends focus empirically and conceptually on neighbourhoods cities with long-standing migration histories. Connected this, are often conceptualised as strong migrant networks economies, well...

Abstract This essay provides insights into the crisis unfolding in ‘backyards’ of globalization, that is, regions are largely abandoned terms capital and characterized by de‐industrialization depopulation. We take Eastern Germany as an example to examine how manifests itself this context. look at turmoil around failed sale Opel car company, acquisition pre‐fab housing estates global investors risky financial transactions municipal companies show crucial decisions about fate urban have become...

Academic discussions often refer to the German urban development program "Stadtumbau Ost" [Urban Regeneration East] as a showcase example of proactive policies on shrinkage. The paper discusses how this came into being. Based expert interviews and document analysis, it demonstrates that primary cause for was not so much new policy depopulated cities, but rather an attempt manage tackle acute crisis large housing companies. These exerted enormous influence policy-making made sure were...