ABSTRACT
The co-evolution of political and economic change and socio-ecological transition in a short period of time has produced specific results in terms of change and persistency as well as their imprints on urban space. This chapter analyses the development and specifics of socio-ecological transformations in the city of Leipzig, eastern Germany. This city represents a case in point to illustrate the context mentioned above because of two reasons: firstly, it has experience fundamental change in various steps over a short period of time (two decades). Secondly, it shows how political and economic turnaround and the transition of socio-ecological structures happened at the same time and interfered each other. This development places Leipzig, despite all its particularities, in the context of several former industrial cities in post-socialist Europe. The chapter defines a paradigm change as a change of visions and long-term goals through acting and decision-making by policymakers, planners and wider urban society.
