Greening as an Approach for Urban Renewal of Shrinking Cities

Abstract

Nowadays, many European, American, and Australian cities are faced with the problem of shrinkage, manifested through demographic decline, economic loss and perforation of urban tissue. In the face of the shrinkage process, there are many challenges that cities and planning faced with. This paper presents „greening“ as a new approach for urban renewal of shrinking cities. Through the review of the greening models implemented in developed countries, the paper examines "greening", understood as a tool for the improvement of the quality of built, natural, and living environment, i.e. an opportunity for qualitative changes within these retired cities regarding their chances of recovery and success. Lessons learned from these examples offer guidelines and recommendations for the reframing of urban planning in the context of Balkan shrinking cities.