ABSTRACT

This book presents multidimensional socio-economic transformations taking  place in the post-socialist cities located in selected countries of the Central European region.

The analysis includes case studies from the Eastern part of Germany (Chemnitz, Leipzig), Poland (Łódź, Kielce, Katowice conurbation, and peripheral urban centres from Eastern Poland), Slovakia (Bratislava, Nitra), the Czech Republic (Olomouc, Brno), and from Hungary (Pécs). The analysed urban areas have undergone far-reaching political and socio-economic changes in the last 30 years. These changes began with the collapse of communism and the centrally planned economy system in the region of Central Europe. The beginning of this period, often referred to as post-socialist transformation, dates back to 1989. The consequence of the aforementioned political processes was the multifaceted socio-economic and demographic changes that significantly affected urban areas in Central Europe. This book presents an attempt to summarize the main long-term processes of changes taking place in these urban areas and to identify contemporary and future trends in their socio-economic development.

The book will be valuable to undergraduate and postgraduate students in human geography, urban studies, economy, and city marketing, especially with an interest in Central Europe.

chapter 3|18 pages

The university as the creative hub

The case of the city of Olomouc after 1989

chapter 4|19 pages

In the shadow of Karl Marx

The case of Chemnitz and its multiple transitions

chapter 6|19 pages

Manufacturing in the post-industrial city

The role of a “Hidden Sector” in the development of Pécs, Hungary

chapter 8|22 pages

Brno in transition

From industrial legacy towards modern urban environment

chapter 9|20 pages

Challenges and problems of re-growth

The case of Leipzig (Eastern Germany)

chapter 10|17 pages

Łódź

A multidimensional transition from an industrial center to a post-socialist city

chapter 12|25 pages

Population ageing processes in towns and cities situated in peripheral areas

An example of urban centres in Eastern Poland