ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on European cities and suggests that most of the subsequent observations may apply to cities in other parts of the world. Growing urban cities in Europe are characterized by at least five features: Continuous land consumption, Separation of land uses, Densification of built-up area, Social differentiation and Formation of centres. While much is known about the spatial patterns and underlying mechanisms that make up growing cities, less is known about what those mechanisms are in shrinking cities. It cannot close it, but strives to contribute some observations. An urban vision after which the future of shrinking cities will solely be guided by market forces similar to the Burgess Growth model of the capitalist city that totally ignored planning and political interventions is not realistic. The part touches upon the relationship between urban growth and urban theory. Currently, shrinking cities and regions are predominantly characterized by the means of images, episodes and statistics.
