[A call for papers will be released in mid-2008. See website for more information. The symposium will take place in Kaiserslautern, Germany.]

Spatial development pressures and decline are unevenly distributed, with growth concentrated in global cities and major agglomerations as well as in designated growth areas or points respectively. But what happens to the towns and villages that surround these successful urban areas and to declining regions which are not connected to growth?

The parallel growth and shrinking of cities and regions appear to be global phenomena – with numerous examples in both western and central Europe, North America, Japan, China and elsewhere.

The location of the 2009 symposium in Germany provides a unique setting to witness both the phenomena of growing urban regions and declining cities. Most of the cities in the eastern parts of the country continue to suffer a loss of population. While there are many factors, strong driving forces behind this are continued economic restructuring as well as demographic changes. There are dramatic consequences of decline, including abandonment of homes and even whole urban districts, a shrinking employment base, failing infrastructure, and the loss of social and cultural amenities.

On the other hand, growing urban regions, primarily in the west of the country, cannot always keep up with the demand for new housing, new or expanded infrastructure, as well as services and amenities that contribute to the quality of life.

Both spatial development contexts - rapid growth and decline - challenge spatial planning and the achievement of sustainable development.