Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Coping with shrinkage in Europe's cities and towns

  • Original Article
  • Published:
URBAN DESIGN International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An increasing number of cities and towns in Europe are facing population decline. In this article we focus on the challenges of this urban shrinkage process from a policy perspective. After a short review of the main causes and consequences of urban shrinkage in Europe, two common public policy responses are identified and evaluated: counteracting shrinkage and accepting shrinkage. Arguing that the latter is the most suitable approach, we recognise that coping with population decline is a complex urban governance process in which citizens inevitably have to play an important role. In shrinking environments, however, people are not always prepared to engage for their community. If policymakers want citizens to care for their community, they must enable them to do so. This may require a rethink of the specific tasks and roles of local government in Europe's shrinking cities and towns.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aedes-Magazine. (2011) Jongeren helpen slopen. [Youngsters help with demolition] Aedes-Magazine 12/2011: 42.

  • Ahrensbach, T., Beunderman, J., Fung, A., Johar, I. and Steiner, J. (eds.) (2011) Compendium for the Civic Economy: What the Big Society should Learn from 25 Trailblazers. London: 00:/in association with NESTA & Design Council CABE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnstein, S. (1969) A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners 35 (4): 216–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beeck, S. (2011) Shrinking Cities in East Germany. Maastricht, The Netherlands: Boekenplan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benneworth, P., Hospers, G.J. and Jongbloed, B. (2006) New economic impulses in old industrial regions: The case of the University of Twente. In: A. Prinz, A.E. Steenge and J. Schmidt (eds.) Innovation: Technical, Economic and Institutional Aspects. Münster, Germany: LIT Verlag, pp. 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berlin Institut für Bevölkerung und Entwicklung. (2011) Klamme Kommunen und engagierte Bürger, [Cold Communities and Engaged Citizens]. Berlin, Germany: Berlin Institut für Bevölkerung und Entwicklung.

  • Bernt, M., Cocks, M., Couch, C., Grossmann, K., Haase, A. and Rink, D. (2012) Policy Response, Governance and Future Directions. (Shrink Smart Research Brief No. 2). Leipzig: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research.

  • Bertelsmann Stiftung. (ed.) (2005) Demographie konkret: Handlungsanzsätze für die kommunale Praxis, [Concrete Demography: Starting-Points for Community Practice]. Gütersloh, Germany: Bertelsmann Stiftung.

  • Blažek, J. and Uhlír, D. (2007) Regional innovation policies in the Czech Republic and the case of Prague: An emerging role of a regional level? European Planning Studies 15 (7): 871–888.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borraz, O. and Le Galès, P. (2010) Urban governance in Europe: The governance of what? Métropoles 7 (1): 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bose, M. and Wirth, P. (2006) Gesundschrumpfen oder Ausbluten? [Healthy shrinking or Exsanguination?]. Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte 21–22 (1): 18–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breukelchen, T. (2011) Eine Stadt im Umbruch [A city in transformation]. Change: das Magazin der Berlsmann Stiftung 1 (1): 34–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne, A. (2011) GCSE Success Geography. Glasgow, UK: Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham-Sabot, E. and Fol, S. (2009) Urban shrinkage in France and Great Britain: A silent process. In: K. Pallagst, et al (eds.) The Future of Shrinking Cities: Problems, Patterns and Strategies of Urban Transformation in a Global Context. Berkeley, CA: Institute for Urban and Regional Development, pp. 24–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, M. and Sorenson, O. (2010) The social attachment to place. Social Forces 89 (2): 633–658.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davenport, J. (2003) The Donut Hole: Re-Envisioning the City Center. Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, Q., Janiak, A. and Wasmer, E. (2010) Local social capital and geographical mobility. Journal of Urban Economics 68 (2): 191–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Die Welt. (2006) Es droht Einwohnerkannibalismus. [‘Residential cannibalism is threatening us’] March 2006.

  • Etzioni, A. (2001) Next: The Road to the Good Society. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurostat. (2011) Statistical Database of the European Union, (including for example Metadata EUROPOP2010), www.epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu.

  • Florida, R. (2002) The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community And Everyday Life. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Florin, P. and Wandersman, A. (1990) An introduction to citizen participation, voluntary organizations, and community development: Insights for empowerment through research. American Journal of Community Psychology 18 (1): 41–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedrichs, J. (1993) A theory of urban decline: Economy, demography and political elites. Urban Studies 30 (6): 907–917.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, H. and Niedomsyl, T. (2009) Migration of the creative class: Evidence from Sweden. Journal of Economic Geography 9 (2): 191–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holst Laursen, L. (2008) Shrinking Cities or Urban Transformation! Aalborg, Denmark: Aalborg University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooghe, M. (2001) ‘Not for our kind of people’: The sour grapes phenomenon as a causal mechanism for political passivity. In: P. Dekker and E. Uslaner (eds.) Social Capital and Participation in Everyday Life. London: Routledge, pp. 162–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hospers, G.J. (2010) Krimp! [Shrinkage!]. Amsterdam: SUN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, J. (1961) The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, J. (1992) Systems of Survival: A Dialogue on the Moral Foundations of Commerce and Politics. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kersten, J. (2007) Demographie als Verwaltungsaufgabe [Demography as an administrative challenge]. Die Verwaltung 40 (3): 309–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirkpatrick, L. (2007) The two ‘logics’ of community development: Neighborhoods, markets, and Community Development Corporations. Politics and Society 35 (2): 329–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klingholz, R. (2011) Europe's demographic future. In: F. Coulmas and R. Lützeler (eds.) Imploding Populations in Japan and Germany. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill, pp. 55–62.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kocks, M. (2007) Konsequenzen des demographischen Wandels für die Infrastruktur im ländlichen Raum [Consequences of demographic change for the rural infrastructure]. Geographische Rundschau 59 (2): 24–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lampen, A. and Ozwar, A. (eds.) (2008) Schrumpfende Städte: ein Phänomen zwischen Antike und Moderne, [Shrinking Cities: A Phenomenon between Antiquity and Modernity]. Köln, Germany: Böhlau Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landkreistag NRW. (2012) Schwerpunkt: bürgerschaftliches Engagement [In focus: Civic engagement]. Eildienst 2 (1): 48–59.

  • Latten, J. and Kooiman, N. (2011) Aantrekkingskracht van regio's en demografische gevolgen [Regional attractiveness and demographic consequences]. Bevolkingstrends 59 (2): 105–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowndes, V., Pratchett, L. and Stoker, G. (2006) Diagnosing and remedying the failings of official participation schemes: The CLEAR framework. Social Policy and Society 5 (2): 281–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maier, K. (2001) Citizen participation in planning: Climbing a ladder? European Planning Studies 9 (6): 707–719.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mariotti, I. (2005) Firm Relocation and Regional Policy: A Focus on Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Groningen, The Netherlands: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Fernandez, C., Kubo, N., Noya, A. and Weyman, T. (eds.) (2012) Demographic Change and Local Development: Shrinkage, Regeneration and Social Dynamics. Paris: OECD/LEED.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKnight, J. and Block, P. (2010) The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metro/Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken. (2012) Bevolkingsdaling: met elkaar nieuwe kansen pakken, [Population Decline: Joining Forces to Seize New Opportunities]. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Metro Custom Publishing.

  • Miot, Y. (2012) Housing strategies for a shrinking French city: The case of Roubaix (France). In: C. Martinez-Fernandez, N. Kubo, A. Noya and T. Weyman (eds.) Demographic Change and Local Development: Shrinkage, Regeneration and Social Dynamics. Paris: OECD/LEED, pp. 131–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myrdal, G. (1957) Economic Theory and Underdeveloped Regions. London: Duckworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neu, C. (2011) Daseinsvorsorge und Bürgerpartizipation [Public services and citizen participation]. Geographische Rundschau 63 (2): 44–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osner, A. (2006) Bürgerengagement als strategische Resource gestalten [Developing civic engagement as a strategic resource]. In: Bertelsmann Stiftung (ed.) Wegweiser demografischer Wandel 2020, [Manual Demographic Change 2020]. Gütersloh, Germany: Bertelsmann Stiftung, pp. 166–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oswalt, P. (ed.) (2005) Shrinking Cities: International Research, Vol. 1. Ostfildern, Germany: Hatje Cantz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oswalt, P. and Rieniets, T. (eds.) (2006) Atlas of Shrinking Cities/Atlas der schrumpfenden Städte. Ostfildern, Germany: Hatje Cantz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. (2000) Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon and Schuster.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Reckien, D. and Martinez-Fernandez, C. (2011) Why do cities shrink? European Planning Studies 19 (8): 1375–1397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reverda, N. (2011) Over krimp: een sociologisch perspectief op bevolkingsdaling, [On Shrinkage: A Sociological Perspective on Population Decline]. Maastricht, The Netherlands: Boekenplan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rink, D., Haase, A., Bernt, M. and Großmann, K. (2010a) Addressing Urban Shrinkage across Europe: Challenges and Prospects. (Shrink Smart Research Brief No. 1). Leipzig: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research.

  • Rink, D., Haase, A., Bernt, M. and Mykhnenko, V. (2010b) D7 Discussion Paper on Cross-Cutting Challenges. (Research Report for the EU 7FP project ‘Shrink Smart – Governance of Shrinkage within a European Context’). Leipzig: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research.

  • Rink, D. et al (2011) How Shrinkage and Local Governance are Interrelated Across urban Europe: A Comparative View. (D12 Discussion Paper). Leipzig: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research.

  • Rink, D. et al (2012) Governance of Shrinkage: Lessons Learnt from Analysis for Urban Planning and Policy. (D13, D14 and D14). Leipzig: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research.

  • Rodrìguez-Pose, A. (1999) Innovation prone and innovation averse societies: Economic performance in Europe. Growth and Change 30 (1): 75–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanoff, H. (2000) Community Participation Methods in Design and Planning. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmeidler, K. (2012) Urban regeneration and revitalization strategies in the Czech Republic. In: C. Martinez-Fernandez, N. Kubo, A. Noya and T. Weyman (eds.) Demographic Change and Local Development: Shrinkage, Regeneration and Social Dynamics. Paris: OECD/LEED, pp. 103–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinführer, A. and Haase, A. (2007) Demographic change as a future challenge for cities in East Central Europe. Geografiska Annaler 89B (2): 183–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulzer, J. (ed.) (2007) Revitalisierender Städtebau: Werte, [Revitalizing Urban Planning: Values]. Dresden, Germany: TUDpress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Termeer, K., Jansen, R. and Stienstra, M. (2011) Burger en overheid: twee werelden, één samenleving! [Citizen and Government: Two Worlds, One Society!]. Den Haag: Advies voor het PlattelandsParlement.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turok, I. and Mykhnenko, V. (2007) The trajectories of European cities, 1960–2005. Cities 24 (3): 165–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Houtum, H. and van Naerssen, T. (2002) Ordering, bordering and othering. Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie 93 (2): 125–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Oort, F. et al (2007) Verhuizingen van bedrijven en groei van werkgelegenheid, [Company Relocation and Employment Growth]. The Hague, the Netherlands: Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verwest, F. (2011) Demographic Decline and Local Government Strategies: A Study of Policy Change in the Netherlands. Delft, The Netherlands: Eburon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiechmann, T. (2008) Errors expected: Aligning urban strategy with demographic uncertainty in shrinking cities. International Planning Studies 13 (4): 431–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiechmann, T. and Pallagst, K. (2012) Urban shrinkage in Germany and the USA: A comparison of transformation patterns and local strategies. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 36 (2): 261–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woods, M. (2005) Rural Geography: Processes, Responses and Experiences in Rural Restructuring. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to the European Urban Knowledge Network (The Hague) for funding parts of this research during the summer of 2012. The author also thanks three anonymous reviewers and Andreas Luescher for their useful comments as well as Leanne Benneworth for language editing of the text. Any errors or omissions remain the responsibility of the author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Management and Governance, University of Twente and Institute for Management Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, c/o University of Twente, PO Box 217, AE Enschede, 7500, the Netherlands

    Gert-Jan Hospers

Authors
  1. Gert-Jan Hospers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hospers, GJ. Coping with shrinkage in Europe's cities and towns. Urban Des Int 18, 78–89 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2012.29

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2012.29

Keywords

Search

Navigation