An international comparison between shrinking regions

The Netherlands is increasingly confronted with demographic shrinkage and transition. Our country is not alone in this. Most European countries are experiencing a shrinking population at national or regional level. What are the differences and similarities with the situation in the Netherlands? What lessons can be learned here? Based on these questions, we investigated a number of shrinking regions in Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Poland.

Interestingly, some regions in these countries have been in decline for a long time. The long-term consequences are often more visible here. How is this dealt with? In addition, in our comparison we not only studied foreign regions that are currently shrinking, but also regions that are (slightly) growing again after decades of shrinkage. How did that happen? In one case we even look at a municipality that is not shrinking at all, but is interesting because it is growing while it is surrounded by shrinking regions. Why is it like that?

When describing foreign shrinking regions, we always start by explaining the regional backgrounds. We then compare an example of a local bottom-up initiative with a local top-down initiative. Finally, we discuss the interaction between the two and make connections with Dutch shrinking regions. The European references are introduced by a text about the Dutch search for a new balance between the government and institutions on the one hand and citizens, entrepreneurs and initiators on the other. We conclude the series with a concluding argument: what can we in the Netherlands learn from the series of foreign examples? With this international comparative research we want to provide inspiration to the Dutch search for new relationships and forms of cooperation between top-down and bottom-up parties.

Client: Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
Status: 2014

Met thanks to: Hans Jungerius (specialist Ruhrgebied), Roland Guenter (Deutsche Werkbund NRW), Georgios Maillis (stadsbouwmeester Charleroi), Nicolas Buissant (Charleroi safari), Ann-Sophie Øberg (gemeente Morsoe), Platform 31, Rasmus Johnsen (Cold Hawaii ), Burkhard van Gember (North Rhine-Westphalia State Office for Forestry and Wood).