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Postsocialist Shrinking Cities: A Comprehensive Guide to Urban Transformation

Oliver Foster

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Published in Postsocialist Shrinking Cities (Routledge Contemporary Perspectives On Urban Growth Innovation And Change)

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A Photo Of A Postsocialist Shrinking City With Abandoned Buildings And Empty Streets. Postsocialist Shrinking Cities (Routledge Contemporary Perspectives On Urban Growth Innovation And Change)

Postsocialist Shrinking Cities (Routledge Contemporary Perspectives on Urban Growth, Innovation and Change)

by Joni Mayhan

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6883 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	392 pages

Postsocialist shrinking cities are a unique phenomenon that has emerged in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transition to a market economy. These cities, once thriving industrial centers, have experienced a significant decline in population and economic activity, leading to widespread abandonment and decay.

This comprehensive guide to postsocialist shrinking cities offers a unique perspective on urban transformation, examining the challenges and opportunities these cities face as they transition from a socialist past to a postsocialist present. With insightful analysis and real-world examples, this book provides a valuable resource for urban planners, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of cities.

The Challenges of Postsocialist Shrinking Cities

Postsocialist shrinking cities face a number of unique challenges, including:

Population decline: The population of postsocialist shrinking cities has declined significantly since the collapse of the Soviet Union. This decline has been caused by a number of factors, including economic restructuring, emigration, and low birth rates.
Economic decline: The economies of postsocialist shrinking cities have also declined significantly since the collapse of the Soviet Union. This decline has been caused by a number of factors, including the loss of heavy industry, the rise of unemployment, and the lack of investment.
Abandoned buildings: The decline in population and economic activity has led to a large number of abandoned buildings in postsocialist shrinking cities. These abandoned buildings can be a source of blight and crime, and they can also pose a safety hazard.
Social problems: The decline in population and economic activity has also led to a number of social problems in postsocialist shrinking cities. These problems include poverty, unemployment, crime, and drug abuse.

The Opportunities of Postsocialist Shrinking Cities

Despite the challenges they face, postsocialist shrinking cities also have a number of opportunities for urban transformation. These opportunities include:

New urban uses: The decline in population and economic activity has created opportunities for new urban uses in postsocialist shrinking cities. These new uses include residential development, commercial development, and green space.
Urban regeneration: The decline in population and economic activity has also created opportunities for urban regeneration in postsocialist shrinking cities. This regeneration can take a number of forms, including the demolition of abandoned buildings, the construction of new housing, and the improvement of public infrastructure.
Economic development: The decline in population and economic activity has also created opportunities for economic development in postsocialist shrinking cities. This development can take a number of forms, including the attraction of new businesses, the development of new industries, and the promotion of tourism.
Social innovation: The decline in population and economic activity has also created opportunities for social innovation in postsocialist shrinking cities. This innovation can take a number of forms, including the development of new community-based organizations, the provision of new social services, and the promotion of new cultural activities.

Postsocialist shrinking cities are a unique phenomenon with a complex set of challenges and opportunities. This comprehensive guide provides a valuable resource for urban planners, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of cities.

By understanding the challenges and opportunities of postsocialist shrinking cities, we can help to ensure that these cities have a bright future.

References

Deutsche, J. (2000). Shrinking cities: International perspectives and policy implications. New York: Routledge.
Heiduck, S. (2018). Postsocialist shrinking cities in Central and Eastern Europe: Urban transformations and social

Postsocialist Shrinking Cities (Routledge Contemporary Perspectives on Urban Growth, Innovation and Change)

by Joni Mayhan

4.1 out of 5