Project Description

At the beginning of the 21st century, the shrinking cities phenomenon is widespread in Europe. To deal with the results of demographic, economic and physical contraction processes and to plan for the future of considerably smaller but nevertheless livable cities is one of the most challenging tasks for urban Europe in the near future.

Against this background, the Action ‘Cities Regrowing Smaller - Fostering Knowledge on Regeneration Strategies in Shrinking Cities across Europe’ aims at fostering knowledge on regeneration strategies in shrinking cities across Europe. By promoting the exchange of scientific knowledge and the stimulation of new ideas in selected reference cities, the gender-balanced network with proposers from ten countries will act as a catalyst for new solutions to deal with demographic changes and to design the restructuring of shrinking cities in Europe.

Significant benefits at the European level are envisaged, resulting in a common framework of terminology and synopsis of published research in this field, exemplary regeneration strategies and a best practice database.

Key Words : shrinking cities, urban policy and planning, urban regeneration strategies, urban revitalisation, innovation in economic restructuring

Research Team

• Sílvia Sousa
• Paulo Pinho

Financial Support

• European Science Foundation (COST Office)

Stage of Progress

• Concluded in 2013