Demographic Change and Local Development

Abstract

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Shrinking cities in Australia, Japan, Europe and the USA: From a global process to local policy responses

“…1 below clearly shows a dramatic growth in population ageing across the three regions. Slowing population growth rates, decreasing fertility rates and declining youth population are the emerging consequences of a world that is changing its growth parameters (Martinez-Fernandez, Kubo, et al, 2012).…”

“…Shrinking cities can be considered as the most critical manifestation of demographic change, a key challenge for societies together with globalisation, knowledge/ technological shift, climate change and the development of the green economy. The social dynamics of shrinking cities also need special attention as the challenges involved in fighting poverty and social exclusion in economically declining cities and regions particularly affect those more vulnerable (Martinez-Fernandez, Kubo, et al, 2012).…”

“…As highlighted in a recent OECD report (Martinez-Fernandez, Kubo, et al, 2012) Australia is one of the world's most urbanised countries with over 85% of the Australian population living in urban areas that hug the coastal zone of an arid continent. The seven capital cities in Australia, in particular Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are the growth areas of Australia.…”

“…The coastal towns and cities along the east coast, especially near Brisbane are one of the fastest growing urban regions of Australia MartinezFernandez and Wu (2007c). The OECD report (Martinez-Fernandez, Kubo, et al, 2012) noted the Australian urban system is experiencing the multiple impacts of globalisation, shifts in population due to demographic changes, and the impacts of climate change to both the regional agricultural economy and the coastal regions (Martinez-Fernandez & Wu, 2009). There is consolidation within major regional towns because while these towns grow at the expense of smaller towns in their region.…”

“…2) and the majority of these were in the rural LGAs along the east coast of Australia, with the majority, located in NSW. The cities that were declining significantly were Moree Plains; Narrabri; Warrumbungle shire; Northern Grampians; Broken Hill; and Tumut Shire (Martinez-Fernandez, Kubo, et al, 2012). The New England region in the North West of NSW concentrates 3 declining cities due to youth, farmer and lifestyle migration (see Box 1).…”