How to understand the global phenomenon of urban shrinkage at local level? comparison of urban areas in Romania and Serbia

Abstract

As a global phenomenon, urban shrinkage is explained in the scientific literature through general characteristics, such as the economic and demographic decline of a city. Apart from these, it has also strong national, regional and local features. In most cases the particular aspects of each context are the main determinants for shrinkage. The aim of this paper is to determine how to understand the phenomenon at national level through a comparison of Romania and Serbia, both two post-socialist countries that share similarities and distinctions. The first step is to present the situation in each of these two countries; afterwards the same indicators will be used for comparison and conclusions. The result of the paper will be the overview of the urban shrinkage situation in both Romania and Serbia. Finally, some further recommendations are presented, such as the possibility to form a regional approach to the phenomenon.