An ageing Europe will struggle with challenges related both to growing populations in some cities and declining populations in others.
- 22% of EU citizens currently live in cities may lose more than 10% of their population by 2050.
- 42% of EU citizens currently live in cities that can increase their population by more than 10%.
Over half of European cities will see their population decline.
One in three will grow by more than 10% in the next 30 years.
- More than 50% growth: Functional urban areas such as Luxembourg, Stockholm and Brussels.
- 25-50% growth: Medium size capitals (Vienna, Budapest, Prague) and large regional cities (Munich, Bologna). The FUA of London will also see a high population increase (>25%).
- Loss of more than 25%: Small cities in Eastern Germany, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria.
Related challenges include the
- rejuvenation of abandoned inner-city areas,
- optimisation of public space,
- adaptation of services and infrastructure to an older population.
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The future of cities - opportunities, challenges and the way forward
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Report: The future of cities - opportunities, challenges and the way forward