Difference in Housing Patterns in Shrinking Cities between in Western and Eastern Europe

Abstract

Comparing with Western Europe, shrinking cities in Eastern/ post-socialist Europe are a relatively new phenomenon, documented from the early 1990s. This gap is not only related with timing. Turbulent transition from a planned and centralised economy to a market and decentralised one has had a profound impact on the state of East-European cities since the collapse of socialism, leaving them with decimated industry production, weak local budget and impoverished and aged population. The uniqueness of urban shrinkage in this region has mirrored into housing patterns, which also show distinct patterns. The aim of this research is to emphasise the differences in urban shrinkage relating housing between the West and the East of Europe. The focus in the recognition of these patterns in the case of four main urban zones regarding housing in shrinking cities - in historic core, in mass-housing estates, suburbia, and in reurbanisation zones. The explanation of the distinct patterns in housing in Eastern-European shrinking cities is a backbone to underline different approaches how to deal with housing in shrinking cities in this part of Europe.