Diversifying European agglomerations

Evidence of urban population trends for the 21st century

verfasst von

Nadja Kabisch, Dagmar Haase

Abstract

The beginning of the 21st century marks the first time in history that more than half of the world's population lives in urban areas. In Europe, more than 70% of the population lives in urban areas today. This number is likely to increase to 84% by 2050. However, a shift from growth to decline of urban population is already present for a growing number of cities. The paper examines urban population trends for 158 European agglomerations and assesses the dynamics behind one particular development of growth or decline. Using data from 1991 to 2004, we present statistical evidence of diversifying population trajectories for core cities and fringe areas. The quantitative results are contrasted with the widespread accepted cyclical urbanisation model that has been expounded as a theoretical approach to describe previous and future stages of European urban development. The structural approach of the model is discussed because we believe that such concepts do not reflect the dynamics of present urban development in Europe. The paper argues that the urban agglomerations studied do not show a single evolutionary stage of urban development. Rather, we found a coexistence of intensifying suburbanisation and developing reurbanisation, which is mainly driven by younger households.

Externe Organisation(en)

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ)
Helmholtz Zentrum München - Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Population, space and place

Band

17

Seiten

236-253

Anzahl der Seiten

18

ISSN

1544-8444

Publikationsdatum

05.2011

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Demographie, Geografie, Planung und Entwicklung

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 11 – Nachhaltige Städte und Gemeinschaften

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.600 (Zugang: Unbekannt)