Planning in shrinking cities still tends toward growth

What the study found: The article argues that planning in shrinking cities often leans toward pro-growth approaches rather than active planning for shrinkage. It also suggests that when planning is justified in terms of growth, it can become growth-oriented even if its stated objective is non-growth.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors suggest that understanding how planning justification is linked to growth may help explain why growth-oriented planning persists in shrinkage contexts. They also conclude that planning approaches not tied to growth may offer nonmonetary benefits, support acceptance of shrinkage, and increase awareness of unexpected opportunities.
What the researchers tested: The article proposes a framework for analysing planning in the context of shrinkage. It links cultural theory-informed planning approaches with planning justification and their relation to growth.
What worked and what didn't: The abstract says growth-dependent planning approaches can become economically unviable and politically contested because of increased inequalities in shrinkage contexts. It also states that planning approaches without a clear connection to growth can provide nonmonetary benefits to the local community.
What to keep in mind: The abstract presents a framework and preliminary observation, but it does not describe a detailed empirical test in the summary provided. Limitations are not otherwise described in the available abstract.

Key points

• Planning in shrinking cities often still follows pro-growth approaches.
• The article links planning justification with whether planning is tied to growth.
• Growth-dependent planning is described as potentially economically unviable and politically contested in shrinkage contexts.
• Planning without a clear connection to growth is said to offer nonmonetary community benefits.
• The authors propose a framework to deepen understanding of planning in shrinkage.