Urban Shrinkage and Socio-Economic Segregation in Medium-Sized Cities: The Case of Schwerin (Germany)

Abstract Although past studies have found that processes of urban shrinkage may act as a catalyst for socio-economic segregation, these relationships remain underexplored outside the context large cities and capitals. Moreover, at lower-tiers hierarchy in post-socialist Europe been doubly excluded from critical discourse on socio-spatial effects shrinkage. Hence, this article examines how affects segregation medium-sized city Schwerin, employing indices to assess levels spatial unevenness location quotients map intra-urban patterns vulnerable population groups over time. Results indicate exacerbate heterogeneity intersects with uneven distributions affluence poverty. However, suggesting legacies state socialism shape contemporary change, Schwerin is strongly conditioned by its socialist-era housing estates, which are generally characterised highest rates decline, vacancy, groups.