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The book addresses urban transformations towards sustainability in light of challenges of global urbanization processes and the consequences of global environmental change. The aim is to show that urban transformations only succeed if both innovative scientific solutions and practice-oriented governance approaches are developed. This assumption is addressed by providing theoretical insights and empirical evidence pointing particularly at 3 concepts or qualities which are determined here as being central for achieving urban sustainability: resource efficiency, quality of life and resilience. Urban case studies from several international research projects illustrate our conceptual approach of urban transformations towards sustainable development. Thus, the book reaches far beyond a mere additive description of single case studies. It incorporates the results of condensed synthesis, resulting from comparisons and evaluations. It provides, based on cross-cutting reflection of single cases and different scales and methods of analysis, general and transferable findings. They do not only consider the scientific sphere but deliberately go beyond it discussing transferability of knowledge into practice, governance options and the feasibility of policy strategies in order to pave the way for sustainable urban transformations to happen today and in the future.

The book addresses urban transformations towards sustainability in light of challenges of global urbanization processes and the consequences of global environmental change. The aim is to show that urban transformations only succeed if both innovative scientific solutions and practice-oriented governance approaches are developed. This assumption is addressed by providing theoretical insights and empirical evidence pointing particularly at 3 concepts or qualities which are determined here as being central for achieving urban sustainability: resource efficiency, quality of life and resilience. Urban case studies from several international research projects illustrate our conceptual approach of urban transformations towards sustainable development. Thus, the book reaches far beyond a mere additive description of single case studies. It incorporates the results of condensed synthesis, resulting from comparisons and evaluations. It provides, based on cross-cutting reflection of single cases and different scales and methods of analysis, general and transferable findings. They do not only consider the scientific sphere but deliberately go beyond it discussing transferability of knowledge into practice, governance options and the feasibility of policy strategies in order to pave the way for sustainable urban transformations to happen today and in the future.

The book addresses urban transformations towards sustainability in light of challenges of global urbanization processes and the consequences of global environmental change. The aim is to show that urban transformations only succeed if both innovative scientific solutions and practice-oriented governance approaches are developed. This assumption is addressed by providing theoretical insights and empirical evidence pointing particularly at 3 concepts or qualities which are determined here as being central for achieving urban sustainability: resource efficiency, quality of life and resilience. Urban case studies from several international research projects illustrate our conceptual approach of urban transformations towards sustainable development. Thus, the book reaches far beyond a mere additive description of single case studies. It incorporates the results of condensed synthesis, resulting from comparisons and evaluations. It provides, based on cross-cutting reflection of single cases and different scales and methods of analysis, general and transferable findings. They do not only consider the scientific sphere but deliberately go beyond it discussing transferability of knowledge into practice, governance options and the feasibility of policy strategies in order to pave the way for sustainable urban transformations to happen today and in the future.

Der Garten in der Stadt – das ist mehr als nur eine Grünfläche, mehr als ein Ort der Erholung und ein Stück heile Welt. Seine Existenz aber ist bedroht. Großstädte in Deutschland und Europa wachsen kontinuierlich. Der Bauboom lässt erschlossenes Land knapper werden, Bodenpreise steigen. Ob traditionelle kleingartenparzelle oder moderner Gemeinschaftsgarten – sie sind wertvolles Bauland, vor allem in der Innenstadt. Um das Überleben des urbanen Gartens zu sichern, bedarf es der Kooperation der Klein- und Gemeinschaftsgärtner.

The book addresses urban transformations towards sustainability in light of challenges of global urbanization processes and the consequences of global environmental change. The aim is to show that urban transformations only succeed if both innovative scientific solutions and practice-oriented governance approaches are developed. This assumption is addressed by providing theoretical insights and empirical evidence pointing particularly at 3 concepts or qualities which are determined here as being central for achieving urban sustainability: resource efficiency, quality of life and resilience. Urban case studies from several international research projects illustrate our conceptual approach of urban transformations towards sustainable development. Thus, the book reaches far beyond a mere additive description of single case studies. It incorporates the results of condensed synthesis, resulting from comparisons and evaluations. It provides, based on cross-cutting reflection of single cases and different scales and methods of analysis, general and transferable findings. They do not only consider the scientific sphere but deliberately go beyond it discussing transferability of knowledge into practice, governance options and the feasibility of policy strategies in order to pave the way for sustainable urban transformations to happen today and in the future.

Nach 1990 erlebten ostdeutsche Großwohnsiedlungen die Abwanderung großer Teile der Bevölkerung und Stigmatisierung von außen. Seit der Jahrtausendwende jedoch begann für viele größere ostdeutsche Städte eine Phase der Stabilisierung und Zunahme der Bevölkerungszahlen. Durch diesen Zuwachs verändert sich die Bevölkerungszusammensetzung in den Großwohnsiedlungen in demographischer, ethnischer und sozio-ökonomischer Hinsicht, eine neue Heterogenität entsteht, die den sozialen Zusammenhalt herausfordert.Im Kontext der dynamisch wachsenden Stadt Leipzig untersuchen die AutorInnen in diesem Beitrag die Zusammenhänge zwischen der zunehmenden Heterogenität und dem sozialen Zusammenhalt in der Leipziger Großwohnsiedlung Grünau. Der Zuzug ist geprägt von jüngeren und migrantischen Haushalten auf der einen Seite und von einkommensschwächeren Haushalten auf der anderen Seite. Die Perspektive der alteingesessenen Bevölkerung auf den sozialen Zusammenhalt weicht von denen der Zuziehenden ab. Letztere nehmen eine vorhandene Vielfalt neben einer starken Gruppe der Älteren wahr, haben oft eine pragmatische Beziehung zum Quartier und zeigen sich offen gegenüber dem vorhandenen Mix. Die Alteingesessenen sehen dies skeptischer, Verlusterzählungen dominieren hier. Zudem wird diese Heterogenität auch als zunehmende sozial-räumliche Differenzierung beschrieben.Die Ergebnisse bestätigen zunächst eine banale Weisheit: der soziale Zusammenhalt steigt mit der Homogenität der Nachbarschaften und mit der Wohndauer; Zuzug, insbesondere von statusniedrigen Gruppen, hat dagegen einen destabilisierenden Effekt. Wir kommen zu der These, dass der soziale Zusammenhalt in Grünau an einem möglichen Wendepunkt steht. Dafür verantwortlich sind die Überschneidungen von horizontalen und vertikalen Merkmalen bei der Heterogenisierung des Stadtteils. Während das demographisch und ethnisch eher homogene und sozio-ökonomisch nur etwas differenzierte Alteingesessenen-Milieu, das über die Jahre des Bevölkerungsve

In Germany, major cities have increasingly become targets for immigration in recent years. The new attractiveness of cities has consequences for local housing markets. The question arises of how these new immigration flows can be channelled in order to meet the broad spectrum of demand and to align housing policies with current and future needs. Therefore, knowledge about new urbanites and their residential preferences and expectations as regards desired housing location is absolutely necessary. Against this background, the article investigates the different types of immigrants to the city of Leipzig and their housing demands. Since the 2010s – after being the most prominent example of a shrinking city in eastern Germany in the 1990s – Leipzig has become one of the fastest growing cities in Germany. Based on a 2014 citywide household survey and a cluster analysis, profiles of the various immigrant groups are identified, analysed and discussed in relation to their housing demand and choice. The results show that the different groups of newcomers present both a number of common housing demands as well as specific requirements. Based on these results, consequences for the housing market are discussed, not just in the case of Leipzig, but also for large cities in Germany facing increased immigration in general.

This commentary discusses the nexus between the European Union (EU) and the local level of government in light of the contemporary challenge of maintaining social cohesion in European urban areas. Social cohesion is understood as a key element of societal stability, which is increasingly constrained in many urban contexts. Against the backdrop of decision-makers being challenged to find effective governance modes and policies addressing ever more diverse urban populations, the commentary presents evidence on how urban authorities use European funds in addressing social cohesion challenges. Cities’ use of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds in diversity governance has been found to hinge on various factors that are often inter-institutionally determined and that may restrict cities’ possibilities to make most efficient use of the funding. The commentary concludes that more effective and participative forms of multi-level cooperation within frameworks like cohesion policy and the newly established Urban Agenda for the EU are necessary in supporting social cohesion and successful diversity governance in European cities. It further suggests that a reform of EU cohesion policy should entail both conceptual and institutional innovations, allowing for an integration of the intersections of urban diversity and cohesion in policy and fund design and a reinforcement of the partnership principle.

Nature-based solutions have emerged to be a major approach or concept when discussing about the sustainable future four cities and are expected to represent solutions for societal problems. When looking closer at this approach, it becomes, however, obvious that the concept is loaded with too many expectations concerning the societal – and, what is more, the social – context of today’s urban reality. Furthermore, nature-based solutions are not inherently socially just; when aiming at bringing together environmental sustainability and social equity/inclusion, then a range of issues have to be critically looked at. Set against this background, the paper reflects on the contribution of nature-based solutions to a socially inclusive urban development. In the focus are trade-offs and blind spots of the hitherto discussion. The paper is thought to be first and foremost a positioning paper and is based on five theses. The paper argues, among others, that nature-based solutions offer, if discussed comprehensively and seriously, a potential for creating and shaping more sustainable cities. In order to meet this objective, they should, however, be seen as more than just tools, technologies and instruments. Nature-based solutions have to be improved as a comprehensive approach, especially with respect to their societal and social embeddings and the full picture of their impacts.

In the preceding papers, we have examined the characteristics of shrinking cities in Germany, Japan and the United States, and described the distinctive features of how both the discourse and the policy response to the shrinking cities phenomenon emerged in each country. In this paper, we build on that description to offer a comparative analysis of the phenomenon and the response. We organize this discussion around the same three elements that have animated the preceding work: conditions, discourse, policy and action. While there are significant differences, we find significant common ground between the three countries; in particular, we find that for discourse to lead to action, three steps are required: First, the condition must be identified, second, it must be problematized, and third, the problem must be de-contextualized. Finally, in addition to these steps, a critical element in the movement from discourse to policy is the existence of conditions adequate to create the political will to address the problem. These underlying factors cut across national differences in culture, governmental structure, and policy.

Infolge der politischen und gesellschaftlichen Umwälzungen im östlichen Europa und den damit einher gehenden Grenzveränderungen gerieten die Gebiete an der polnischen Ostgrenze in eine völlig neue Situation. Neben der Bewältigung des seit der Grenzöffnung zwischen Polen und seinen östlichen Nachbarn stark angewachsenen grenzüberschreitenden Verkehrs gilt es in den letzten Jahren auch, neue bilaterale Beziehungen zwischen den jeweiligen Nachbarstaaten aufzubauen. Das Anliegen des Beitrages ist es vor diesem Hintergrund, Perspektiven und Probleme der gegenwärtigen Lage im Grenzgebiet zwischen dem südöstlichen Polen (Wojewodschaft Vorkarpaten) bilden sowie der Oblast Lwiw auf ukrainischer Seite aufzuzeigen. Dabei stehen nach einer kurzen Skizzierung des historischen und politischen Rahmens die Ausprägungen und Folgen der sozioökonomischen Transformation, die Möglichkeiten und Formen grenzüberschreitender Kontakte und Kooperation sowie die ethnische und religiöse Dimension des polnisch-ukrainischen Verhältnisses im Mittelpunkt. Zur Entwicklung der polnisch-ukrainischen Nachbarschaft in den hier betrachteten Grenzregionen nach dem Systemumbruch lassen sich zusammenfassend folgende Entwicklungen festhalten: Aufgrund des sehr unterschiedlichen Verlaufes der wirtschaftlichen wie auch der gesellschaftlichen Transformation auf beiden Seiten der Grenze wachsen gegenwärtig die sozio-ökonomischen Unterschiede zwischen den Grenzgebieten, was sich in einem zunehmenden Wohlstands- und Lohngefälle niederschlägt. Auf der polnischen Seite verläuft die Entwicklung trotz der noch bevorstehenden Reformen der Landwirtschaft tendenziell in Richtung einer wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Stabilisierung, auf der ukrainischen Seite dagegen konnte die krisenhafte Entwicklung in den letzten Jahren nicht gebremst werden und sie besitzt aufgrund der makroökonomischen Rahmenbedingungen in der Ukraine derzeit kaum nennenswerte Perspektiven für eine Entspannung der Lage. Während der Lebensstandard der

Die grenzüberschreitende Kooperation zwischen Polen und seinen Nachbarstaaten im Osten bietet Potenziale sowohl zur Stabilisierung der Grenzregionen als auch zur Lösung grenzübergreifender Probleme. So trägt der Grenzhandel bis heute in nicht unbeträchtlichem Maße zur Stabilisierung der Einkommenssituation zahlreicher Menschen in den Grenzregionen bei. Er hat lokal die Rolle eines wichtigen sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Regulativs übernommen. Kontakte zwischen der Bevölkerung bauen Barrieren ab und verändern größtenteils in positiver Weise das Bild des Nachbarn. Die Enttabuisierung historischer Konflikte erleichtert die Normalisierung der Nachbarschaftsbeziehungen insbesondere im polnisch-ukrainischen Grenzraum. Noch bleiben aufgrund rechtlicher Unterschiede, wirtschaftlicher Defizite der Grenzregionen und durch die wachsenden Transformations- und Wohlstandsunterschiede zwischen Polen und seinen Nachbarstaaten im Osten viele Potenziale zur grenzüberschreitenden Zusammenarbeit ungenutzt. Darüber hinaus ist die gegenseitige Annäherung ein langwieriger und komplizierter Prozess, der nach Jahrzehnten der Abschottung nicht in wenigen Jahren zu bewältigen ist. Noch beschränkt sich der Austausch – abgesehen der Grenzhandel und familiäre Kontakte – auf einen kleinen Kreis regionaler Eliten. Die aktive Einbeziehung der Bevölkerung vor allem in institutionalisierte Kooperationsbeziehungen, beispielsweise im Rahmen der Euroregionen, muss nun folgen. Die Einführung der Schengenbestimmungen sollte nicht zu einer Einschränkung der alltäglichen Kooperation zwischen den Grenzregionen führen, ist letztgenannte doch ein wesentlicher Garant einer erfolgreichen Bewältigung der EU-Osterweiterung., The cross-border cooperation between Poland and its neighbouring states in the East offers potential for the stabilisation of the border regions and for the solution of cross-border problems. For example, cross-border trade still contributes significantly to the stabilisation of the income situation of numerous people in the border regions. In local terms, it has assumed the role of an important social and economic regulator. Contacts within the popula tion tear down barriers and change impressions of one’s neighbours, most commonly in a positive sense. The removal of taboos from historical conflict facilitates a normalisation of relations between neighbours, in particular in the border regions between Poland and Ukraine. However, differences in the legal systems, economic deficits in the border regions and widening gaps in the levels of prosperity and transformation between Poland and its neighbouring states in the East mean that considerable potential for cross-border c ooperation are left unused. In addition, convergence is a laborious and complicated process, which, after decades of insular existence, cannot be overcome in just a few years. The networks are still limited to a small group of the elite in the region – apart from border trade and family contacts. Active inclusion of the population, especially in institutional cooperation, for example within the framework of the Euroregions, must now follow. The introduction of the Shengen Agreement should not lead to a restriction on every day cooperation between the border regions, as the latter is an important guarantor for a successful completion of EU expansion in the East.

Der Beitrag untersucht die Bedeutung, Entwicklung und Potenziale von Reurbanisierungsprozessen in innenstadtnahen Wohnquartieren verschiedener europäischer Städte. Reurbanisierung wird konzeptualisiert als Prozess der Stabilisierung der inneren Stadt, im Verlaufe dessen sowohl bereits ansässige Bewohner gehalten als auch Zuzügler gewonnen werden, die sich bewusst und explizit für ein urbanes Leben entscheiden. Zentral für das hier vorgestellte Reurbanisierungskonzept ist eine qualitative Dimension des demographischen Wandels, die auf die Ebene der Haushalte Bezug nimmt. Haushaltstypen, die im Zuge des Zweiten demographischen Übergangs gesamtgesellschaftlich an Bedeutung gewinnen - Alleinlebende, junge Paarhaushalte ohne Kinder, Wohngemeinschaften, Alleinerziehende- spielen in den Prozessen innerstädtischen Wandels eine besondere Rolle. Die innere Stadt entspricht mit ihrem Angebot an Wohn- und Gelegenheitsstrukturen den Bedürfnissen dieser Haushalte in besonderem Maße und verfügt über das Potenzial, für diese Haushalte auch längerfristig ein geeigneter Wohnstandort zu bleiben. Trotz unterschiedlicher institutioneller Rahmenbedingungen auf nationaler Ebene und lokaler Besonderheiten sind entsprechende Entwicklungen in den vergangenen Jahren in vielen europäischen Städten zu beobachten. Das wichtigste Ergebnis der im Folgenden vorgestellten Untersuchungen in Leipzig (Deutschland), Bologna (Italien), León (Spanien) und Ljubljana (Slowenien) ist, dass Reurbanisierungsprozesse zwar in ihrer quantitativen Ausprägung differieren, ihre Trägerhaushalte in verschiedenen europäischen Städten und Wohnquartieren aber ähnlich sind. (Autorenreferat), The article focuses on the impact, development and potentials of reurbanisation of inner-city areas in different European cities. Reurbanisation is conceptualised as the process of stabilisation of the inner city by means of both making residents stay and attracting new inhabitants who deliberately decide for an urban location and an urban style of life. The concept of reurbanisation draws on the genuine links between urban development and a small-scale, qualitative dimension of demographic change. Especially household types that gain more importance within the framework of the Second demographic transition, as for example one-person households, cohabiting couples without children, unrelated adults sharing a flat and single parents, are in the focus of the contribution. The inner city with its diverse housing stock and amenities to a high extent meets the needs of these household types and may even become a long-term housing location for them. Despite of different institutional conditions on the national and local scales, the above mentioned developments are to be observed in many European cities. The findings presented here for Leipzig (Germany), Bologna (Italy), León (Spain) and Ljubljana (Slovenia) show by evidence that reurbanisation, whilst varying in its quantitative dimension, exhibits similar qualitative features and driving forces in different European contexts. (author's abstract)

In the final decades of the twentieth century, the post-industrial regions of western Europe and the US were hot-spots of urban shrinkage, and this also affected large areas in post-socialist countries. Despite ongoing calls for a better integration of diverse global urban experiences into theorization, post-socialist cities and their trajectories, as well as their experiences with rapid urban change, have been largely disregarded in general theory development.At the same time, we face a somewhat inconsistent situation in the theoretical discourse on urban development. There are requests for “new geographies of theory” or to regard all cities as “ordinary”, in order to include different types of narratives and experience into overall comparisons and/or theory building.Set against this background, this paper aims to deal with the case of shrinking post-socialist cities, that is, cities that are “excluded” from hegemonic discourses for two reasons: they are post-socialist and they are shrinking. In contrast to this situation, we understand shrinking post-socialist cities as valuable examples for strengthening the debate on current and future forms of, and determining factors for, general urbanization. At the focus of our paper, therefore, are the questions about what we can learn from the analysis of shrinking post-socialist cities for the general discourse, as well as for theory building for cities, and how we can overcome the observed reluctance to integrate the post-socialist experience into general theory development.The paper draws on an EU 7 FP research project finished in 2012 that comparatively analysed urban shrinkage across several regions of Europe, with a particular focus on post-socialist countries.

After several decades, an increasing number of European cities have been experiencing population growth after a longer phase of decline. This new growth represents not just a quantitative phenomenon but also has qualitative implications for the urban space and the built environment. A juxtaposition of re- and de-densification, as well as changes in land use, in the form of a small-scale spatial mosaic, can be observed. A crucial factor for estimating the relationship between the built environment and demand for it is population density. Increasing population densities may put pressure on sustaining a certain quality of life and on ecological recovery spaces. In this vein, an indicator concept for re- and de-densification will be applied to the city of Leipzig, one of the most illustrative examples of a regrowing city, in order to shed light on the complex relationship between changing human housing demands and their impact on land use. The concept involves measuring population density. Our study has demonstrated that, although similar density changes can be observed in different periods in different parts of the city, they are dominated by different drivers, leading to the formation of different spatial patterns. The results of our study emphasise that regrowth should be understood as a distinctive process because it is distributed very heterogeneously within the city area, with a variety of spatial effects and impacts. The concept allows us to draw conclusions about processes that mitigate, drive or reinforce regrowth, and therefore contributes to a better understanding of this phenomenon and its implications for land use.

After the beginning of the post-socialist transformation, the eastern German city of Leipzig underwent various changes within a short time span. These changes have been especially dynamic in its inner city. Whereas it was hit by the loss of large parts of its population and increasing housing vacancies in the 1990s, the 2000s brought about a revitalization and new attractiveness of many inner-city districts. Since then, reurbanization and – in some places – gentrification have become the predominant trends in a rising number of inner-city districts. This development has also reshaped patterns of socio-spatial differentiation in the city as a whole and its inner parts. Set against this background, the paper describes the development of Leipzig’s inner city after 1990. The focus of the paper is it to show how various concepts – reurbanization and gentrification – help to explain this development. Of particular interest thereby is the impact of Leipzig’s specific housing market situation that is characterized by long-term experiences of supply surplus and shrinkage.

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Neighborhood research today is largely concerned with two central aspects of neighborhood development: gentrification and decline. This paper sets out to enrich the discourse on neighborhood change, especially that concerned with so-called declining neighborhoods, by drawing on assemblage and complexity theories. These approaches emphasize processes, interdependencies, uncertainties, surprising shifts, and feedback loops in the production of specific spatial formations. We apply this framework in an examination of the development of two neighborhoods in Leipzig: an inner-city district and a large housing estate. We identify internal and external factors impacting these neighborhoods’ trajectories and demonstrate how various multidirectional shifts are crucial to the specific paths—and the understanding—of these neighborhoods’ development. From a conceptual perspective, we advocate for the use of assemblage thinking in addition to existing approaches to neighborhood change.

In this article, we contribute to a better understanding of contextual differences related to residential segregation. We illuminate one specific contextual factor—housing oversupply—and how it intersects with historically inherited patterns of socio-spatial differentiation and other drivers of residential segregation. The study is based on an analysis of how segregation has developed over the last 20 years in the city of Leipzig, Germany. This case offers the rare possibility of studying the impact of city-wide housing oversupply on residential segregation, rather than concentrating on decline or decay in specific areas. We examine how oversupply emerged at the meeting point of changes in market structures, housing preferences, welfare state interventions, and migration trends in the post-socialist transition. Using existing statistical data, we demonstrate how oversupply has fostered a fast and thorough reshuffling of residential patterns. After a period of resolving segregation patterns from the socialist era, oversupply acts as a catalyst for recently emerging residential segregation patterns.