Historically, cities have always followed patterns of growth and shrinkage; these cycles were mostly influenced by wars, famine, plagues and later on by industrialization, but with the rise of globalization, an unprecedented phenomenon has emerged - shrinking cities. Following more than a century of constant urban development triggered by industrialization, the multidimensional process known as ‘shrinking cities’ appeared only about 40 years ago. Obsolete methods of urban planning coupled with the emerging finance-dominated industry have led to radical spatial and social polarization, coupled with declining demographics and economy. Recently, cities like Manchester and Leipzig have started to address some of the negative aspects associated with shrinking cities by integrating a part of their built heritage into gentrification and branding strategies.
Tamas, Ioana
Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment
Year: 2016
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