Uncovering Demographic Trends and Recent Urban Expansion in Metropolitan Regions: A Paradigmatic Case Study

Rares Halbac-Cotoara-Zamfir, Gianluca Egidi, Enrico Maria Mosconi, Stefano Poponi, Ahmed Alhuseen and Luca Salvati
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Rares Halbac-Cotoara-Zamfir: Department of Overland Communication Ways, Foundation and Cadastral Survey, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 1A I. Curea Street, 300224 Timisoara, Romania
Gianluca Egidi: Department of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo De Lellis snc, I-01100 Viterbo, Italy
Enrico Maria Mosconi: Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business, University of Tuscia, Via del Paradiso 47, I-01100 Viterbo, Italy
Stefano Poponi: Nicolò Cusano University (Unicusano), Via Don Carlo Gnocchi 3, I-00166 Rome, Italy
Ahmed Alhuseen: Global Change Research Institute CAS, Lipova 9, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
Luca Salvati: Department of Economics and Law, University of Macerata, Via Armaroli 43, I-62100 Macerata, Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: While urbanization trends have been characterized for a long time by deconcentration of inner cities with expansion of low-density settlements, economic repolarization leading to re-urbanization and recovery of central districts are now counterbalancing population shrinkage in compact urban areas and slowing down suburban growth. In this context, the recent demographic evolution of a large metropolis such as Athens (Greece)—following expansion, crisis, and a more subtle economic recovery—may reveal original relationships between form and functions at the base of recent urban growth. Based on an exploratory analysis of demographic indicators on a metropolitan and urban scale, the present study provides an updated and integrated knowledge framework that confirms and integrates the most recent urban trends in southern Europe. Documenting the emergence of more individualized paths of urban expansion at the local scale (recovery of the historic center, shrinkage of semicentral neighborhoods, ‘reverse gentrification’ of disadvantaged peripheral areas, late suburbanization of accessible peripheral areas), results of the present study justify an ad hoc analysis of metropolitan growth based on demographic indicators as a proxy for sustainable land management and local development.

Keywords: urban growth; gentrification; migratory balance; suburbanization; shrinkage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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