Commission en directe writes today:
Cities are prepared to manage growth. But are they prepared to manage a decline in their population? According to a recently published ‘science for policy brief’, written by colleagues at the JRC, they should be – as shrinking may well become the new normal for many cities, both in Europe and worldwide.
Isn't this good news for the environment ...?
https://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/news/EuropeandBeyond/Pages/shrinking-cities-jrc.aspx (COM internal)
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC126011
I think this is really interesting. Especially, during Corona but even before, people started to get out of the fast-pace lifestyle, valuing time in nature and being mindful of their decisions. Now, that it is even recommended to keep distance, it might influence more people to leave big cities and move towards a calmer, cleaner and quieter area. Now that people have more opportunities to work online, they can avoid/reduce the commute times and expenses and are not necessarily needed at a physical location.
Looking at Berlin (and Potsdam), I can hardly imagine shrinking. I always have the feeling that people are standing outside the gates with their suitcases packed, waiting to move in finally. At the same time, there are not fewer people. They live somewhere else, outside the cities, need resources and infrastructure. I don't think that solves the problem. It's just postponed.