Drivers, Scale, and Geography of Urban Shrinkage in Poland and Policy Responses

Abstract

The answer to the question of why cities are shrinking and what the drivers behind this process are is not clear. However, there are common features of urban shrinkage, and each case has its origins and manifestations. In addition, different policies are counteracting the negative consequences of the shrinkage. Regeneration strategies vary a lot, depending on the way the problem is perceived by both central and local governments. The previously mentioned issues are discussed in this paper, using Poland and one of its old industrial cities, Wałbrzych, as the case study. This paper has two aims: (1) the identification and analysis of the drivers and scale of the process of urban shrinkage in Poland and its geographical distribution (in the national and local context) and (2) the analysis and assessment of different policies adopted to mitigate negative effects of urban shrinkage (including such forms as special economic zones and urban regeneration projects). This paper closes with recommendations for policymakers at national and local levels. The findings highlight that more than one-third of Polish cities have been characterized by advanced urban shrinkage since the postsocialist transformation started (i.e., since 1990), and integrated strategies that would allow them to adapt to negative demographic trends have become part of urban policies at national and local levels only in the recent years.