ABSTRACT
This chapter explores different patterns of shrinkage and emerging responses in Russia. The aim is to foreground if and how urban shrinkage is addressed in planning and policy documents adopted by different governance levels. Firstly, the chapter explains the country’s existing demographic situation, causes, and dynamics of national, regional, and urban population change. It also discusses policies approved at the national level that address demographic issues. Secondly, the chapter presents the methodological approach. Thirdly, it analyzes the relationship between regional and local (urban) population decline in selected cities and regions on the one hand and policies approved at the regional and local levels on the other. Finally, the chapter provides reflections on the results and concludes with a description of possible policy directions for managing urban shrinkage in Russia.
