Development Possibilities of Historic Towns in Shrinkage – Case Study of Łódź, Poland

Abstract

One of the main achievements of post-socialist urbanism in Central and Eastern Europe is certainly awake of interest for historical cities, which were neglected during socialist period. This interest could be seen through different actors; new capitalist entrepreneurs have found opportunities for а young market economy in these attractive places, citizens have rediscovered the value of traditional ambient, and city authorities have followed these trends with new public investments, which were implemented through new plans and projects, created by urban planners and designers, architects, and other professionals. However, this urban development has not been achieved in all historic cities of postsocialist Europe. Historical cities with the problem of urban shrinkage are recognized as the most vulnerable one. Here, the great economic and demographic decline has disabled or significantly slowed down their general development and, thereby, the renewal and the revitalization of their historical cores. Furthermore, the examples of historical cities that have succeeded to overcome the problem are not numerous. One of such examples is Łódź in Poland. It is an old industrial city with a huge historical core from the period of early industrialization, which lost its industrial character during post-socialist transformation. Consequently, general decline and the noticeable loss of population happened, which was, in particular, reflected on the deterioration of its old core. Nevertheless, several great development projects have been started in the city and its historic core, with the intention of its regeneration. Thus, Łódź is becoming a role-model for historic cities with the problem of urban shrinkage. The aim of this paper is the critical analysis of these projects, which can contribute in the development of both the entire city and its historic core. The result of the paper represents guidelines for the urban development of historic cities in urban shrinkage.