W(h)ither the European Shrinking City?

In this chapter we introduce the topic of urban shrinkage by providing an indication of the scale and complexity of urban shrinkage in Europe. Referring to key policy debates and academic discourses on urban shrinkage this chapter outlines the issues on which practical actions are and can be taken. The focus of this book is primarily on the local level but reference is also made to governance and policy issues that need to be addressed at different levels of government.