ABSTRACT
The introduction is the first chapter of this edited volume. It presents the research problem, the main scientific aims, and the methods used in the individual chapters included in the book. The introduction contains a review of the literature regarding socio-economic and spatial changes of the post-socialist cities in the region of Central Europe. On the basis of the literature review, the main urban transformation processes were identified. This analysis is a background for examples of specific case studies of post-socialist cities and towns presented in subsequent chapters. The introduction also discusses the region of Central Europe and its location within Europe. The first chapter ends with the presentation of the book structure and brief presentation of the content of the case study chapters.
