Benchmarking Responses to Urban Shrinkage

Scientific research on urban shrinkage has advanced cross-national comparative analysis as a main research approach in order to identify successful approaches to urban shrinkage, including the concept of “Shrinking Smart”. Cross-national comparative research relies on empirical observations that need to be firmly embedded into the local context so that their applicability in other settings can be properly evaluated. This chapter introduces a structured benchmarking framework for cross-national comparative research on urban shrinkage. The framework integrates causal and contextual factors, planning process considerations and normative dimensions. By applying the framework to the planning and policy approaches in Bilbao (Spain) and Leipzig (Germany) between 2000 and 2015, the chapter draws conclusions on the long-term normative orientation of the approaches in both cities in a structured comparative mode. The chapter concludes with indications on the planning process in shrinking cities and on the balance between economic growth and quality-of-life considerations in the context of the “Shrinking Smart” planning concept.