Rethinking shrinking cities: Peripheral dual cities have arrived

ABSTRACT

This review essay contextualizes the articles included in the Journal of Urban Affairs’ special issue on promoting social justice and equity in shrinking cities. It introduces a framework to guide the analysis of shrinking cities and the formulation of urban revitalization policies. The essay begins by anchoring the literature on shrinking cities to a broader critique on globalization. Following this discussion, the emergence of a new urban form, called the peripheral dual city, is described. The article concludes with an outline for radically rethinking revitalization policy in shrinking cities.

Acknowledgments

I thank the Journal of Urban Affairs editorial team and the three peer reviewers for feedback and guidance on earlier versions of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert Mark Silverman

Robert Mark Silverman is a Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo. He has a BS in political science and a master’s in public administration from Arizona State University and a PhD in urban studies from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. His research focuses on fair and affordable housing, community development, the nonprofit sector, and education reform. Some of his recent publications include the 2016 co-authored book Shrinking Cities: From Neighborhoods of Despair to Neighborhoods of Opportunity?; the 2015 co-authored book Qualitative Research Methods for Community Development; the 2013 co-edited book Schools and Urban Revitalization: Rethinking Institutions and Community Development; and the 2011 co-edited book Fair and Affordable Housing in the U.S.: Trends, Outcomes, Future Directions.