“Urban decline” and “shrinking cities” are interrelated but different phenomena. The first, imbued in Fordist or modernist urban development and planning thought, is a localised and episodic problem assumed soluble through rational planning. The second, resulting from the great post-Fordist transformation is global and a glocal planning challenge in the context of 21st century capitalism.

Shrinking cities is a global phenomenon but anchored at the national and local levels in its particular manifestations. Policy responses vary by each country's welfarist history and by the global forces (tertiarisation, suburbanisation, deindustrialisation, ageing, international migration) behind shrinkage.

Shrinking cities require measures tailored to a comprehensive territorial strategic approach employing a multitude of efforts, such as greening, revitalisation, economic development, and social inclusion.

Policy development for shrinking cities requires a coordinated approach at the local, regional, national and supra-national level, under a governance system that encourages inclusive and sustainable growth.

r1355">Employment, one of the most critical areas for shrinking cities, could benefit from regional employment pacts based on new governance models whereby stakeholders cooperate as equal partners and foster local empowerment.