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Lithuania is one of the countries that suffers great depopulation. The last decades depopulation tendency is especially evident in Central and Eastern European region. Depopulation is a significant challenge for non-metropolitan cities and their residents, and for decision makers. This article introduces urban shrinkage in Lithuania using a case study of the fourth biggest city and regional centre in Lithuania – Šiauliai city. This chapter is based on the same logic (drivers, consequences and governance) that is presented in the 'heuristic model of urban shrinkage' introduced by a group of German, UK, Poland and other countries' scholars (Haase et al., 2014). The drivers of shrinkage of Šiauliai city fall into three main groups: political, economic and demographic. Even though the urban shrinkage of the peripheral city of Šiauliai is not an exception and it is a well-recognized fact that deindustrialization damaged most European cities, in our case, the pace and circumstances were extreme and so widespread, that only large out-migration could have solved the direct consequences of them. This, however, has caused other long-term problems such as a negative demographic structure, shrinking public service networks, brownfields, and created a negative image, low development potential, and low expectations for a prosperous future. National and Local governments are looking for ways to deal with shrinkage, but so far not very successfully. This article includes quantitative and qualitative analyses: statistics introducing the drivers and consequences of shrinkage, and qualitative information collected via analysing legal documents (strategies, plans, research papers) that the municipality of Šiauliai city presents in its official municipality data base. The analysis of the documents allows making assumptions that the local government clearly understands the current depopulation situation. However, even though the schools, faculties of university, youth institutions are being closed, and aging population compose majority of voters, the local government does not leave the idea to become the city comfortable for young families (Šiauliai city strategic… 2016). In order to accomplish this idea the local government is looking for the ways to attract investment and create working places for young specialists, the public infrastructure is being renovated, green areas redesigned, public transportation network developed. However, despite all those efforts, if the emigration will keep similar trends and immigration will remain low, the city will face the further shrinkage.

Lithuania is one of the countries that suffers great depopulation. The last decades depopulation tendency is especially evident in Central and Eastern European region. Depopulation is a significant challenge for non-metropolitan cities and their residents, and for decision makers. This article introduces urban shrinkage in Lithuania using a case study of the fourth biggest city and regional centre in Lithuania – Šiauliai city. This chapter is based on the same logic (drivers, consequences and governance) that is presented in the 'heuristic model of urban shrinkage' introduced by a group of German, UK, Poland and other countries' scholars (Haase et al., 2014). The drivers of shrinkage of Šiauliai city fall into three main groups: political, economic and demographic. Even though the urban shrinkage of the peripheral city of Šiauliai is not an exception and it is a well-recognized fact that deindustrialization damaged most European cities, in our case, the pace and circumstances were extreme and so widespread, that only large out-migration could have solved the direct consequences of them. This, however, has caused other long-term problems such as a negative demographic structure, shrinking public service networks, brownfields, and created a negative image, low development potential, and low expectations for a prosperous future. National and Local governments are looking for ways to deal with shrinkage, but so far not very successfully. This article includes quantitative and qualitative analyses: statistics introducing the drivers and consequences of shrinkage, and qualitative information collected via analysing legal documents (strategies, plans, research papers) that the municipality of Šiauliai city presents in its official municipality data base. The analysis of the documents allows making assumptions that the local government clearly understands the current depopulation situation. However, even though the schools, faculties of university, youth institutions are being closed, and aging population compose majority of voters, the local government does not leave the idea to become the city comfortable for young families (Šiauliai city strategic… 2016). In order to accomplish this idea the local government is looking for the ways to attract investment and create working places for young specialists, the public infrastructure is being renovated, green areas redesigned, public transportation network developed. However, despite all those efforts, if the emigration will keep similar trends and immigration will remain low, the city will face the further shrinkage.

Lithuania is one of the countries that suffers great depopulation. The last decades depopulation tendency is especially evident in Central and Eastern European region. Depopulation is a significant challenge for non-metropolitan cities and their residents, and for decision makers. This article introduces urban shrinkage in Lithuania using a case study of the fourth biggest city and regional centre in Lithuania – Šiauliai city. This chapter is based on the same logic (drivers, consequences and governance) that is presented in the 'heuristic model of urban shrinkage' introduced by a group of German, UK, Poland and other countries' scholars (Haase et al., 2014). The drivers of shrinkage of Šiauliai city fall into three main groups: political, economic and demographic. Even though the urban shrinkage of the peripheral city of Šiauliai is not an exception and it is a well-recognized fact that deindustrialization damaged most European cities, in our case, the pace and circumstances were extreme and so widespread, that only large out-migration could have solved the direct consequences of them. This, however, has caused other long-term problems such as a negative demographic structure, shrinking public service networks, brownfields, and created a negative image, low development potential, and low expectations for a prosperous future. National and Local governments are looking for ways to deal with shrinkage, but so far not very successfully. This article includes quantitative and qualitative analyses: statistics introducing the drivers and consequences of shrinkage, and qualitative information collected via analysing legal documents (strategies, plans, research papers) that the municipality of Šiauliai city presents in its official municipality data base. The analysis of the documents allows making assumptions that the local government clearly understands the current depopulation situation. However, even though the schools, faculties of university, youth institutions are being closed, and aging population compose majority of voters, the local government does not leave the idea to become the city comfortable for young families (Šiauliai city strategic… 2016). In order to accomplish this idea the local government is looking for the ways to attract investment and create working places for young specialists, the public infrastructure is being renovated, green areas redesigned, public transportation network developed. However, despite all those efforts, if the emigration will keep similar trends and immigration will remain low, the city will face the further shrinkage.

Lithuania is one of the countries that suffers great depopulation. The last decades depopulation tendency is especially evident in Central and Eastern European region. Depopulation is a significant challenge for non-metropolitan cities and their residents, and for decision makers. This article introduces urban shrinkage in Lithuania using a case study of the fourth biggest city and regional centre in Lithuania – Šiauliai city. This chapter is based on the same logic (drivers, consequences and governance) that is presented in the 'heuristic model of urban shrinkage' introduced by a group of German, UK, Poland and other countries' scholars (Haase et al., 2014). The drivers of shrinkage of Šiauliai city fall into three main groups: political, economic and demographic. Even though the urban shrinkage of the peripheral city of Šiauliai is not an exception and it is a well-recognized fact that deindustrialization damaged most European cities, in our case, the pace and circumstances were extreme and so widespread, that only large out-migration could have solved the direct consequences of them. This, however, has caused other long-term problems such as a negative demographic structure, shrinking public service networks, brownfields, and created a negative image, low development potential, and low expectations for a prosperous future. National and Local governments are looking for ways to deal with shrinkage, but so far not very successfully. This article includes quantitative and qualitative analyses: statistics introducing the drivers and consequences of shrinkage, and qualitative information collected via analysing legal documents (strategies, plans, research papers) that the municipality of Šiauliai city presents in its official municipality data base. The analysis of the documents allows making assumptions that the local government clearly understands the current depopulation situation. However, even though the schools, faculties of university, youth institutions are being closed, and aging population compose majority of voters, the local government does not leave the idea to become the city comfortable for young families (Šiauliai city strategic… 2016). In order to accomplish this idea the local government is looking for the ways to attract investment and create working places for young specialists, the public infrastructure is being renovated, green areas redesigned, public transportation network developed. However, despite all those efforts, if the emigration will keep similar trends and immigration will remain low, the city will face the further shrinkage.

Master's thesis analyzes the sustainable development policy implementation and management of Siauliai city. This work consists of two parts (theoretical and empirical), conclusions, recommendations, references and appendices. The first part deals with the sustainable development policy discourse, its evolution and development of local self-government level, the sustainable city concept and its component elements, priorities, management principles and it also defines the importance of strategic management in urban sustainable development and an overview of the European Union's sustainable development policy work Lithuania's level. In the second part of the work, according to the Statistics Department and Siauliai city Municipality strategic documents, the city's development analysis (2008-2014 m.) was made according to sustainable development in four areas: economic, social, environmental and institutional. There was also an integrated sustainable development index calculation made of the Siauliai city and interview survey analysis prepared. Summarizing the available data, calculations and interview results there were findings and recommendations presented and directions of the improvement given. One of the most important inference - Sustainable development is controlled, so one of the most important cities existence conditions are linked to the effective functioning of its strategic management, which provides urban development analysis (external and internal), vision, objectives, priorities, planning and management systems focused on sustainable Development dimensional integration. However, the municipality's strategic plans are not validated in the common system of indicators that allow better understand and assess urban sustainability, its excellence and areas for improvement. Meanwhile, based on our calculations, it is assumed that the city has evolved since the integrated value of the index during the analyzed period grew the fastest in the environmental and social areas. Nevertheless, the analysis of statistical and interview data, it can be concluded that quite a number of social, economic, environmental and governance issues prevail in the city. Based on the outcome of the investigation a vision of sustainable development of Siauliai city was formed including the improvement of certain directions, which are focused on strategic planning and management systems changes and also economic, social and environmental sustainable urban residential development.

Master's thesis analyzes the sustainable development policy implementation and management of Siauliai city. This work consists of two parts (theoretical and empirical), conclusions, recommendations, references and appendices. The first part deals with the sustainable development policy discourse, its evolution and development of local self-government level, the sustainable city concept and its component elements, priorities, management principles and it also defines the importance of strategic management in urban sustainable development and an overview of the European Union's sustainable development policy work Lithuania's level. In the second part of the work, according to the Statistics Department and Siauliai city Municipality strategic documents, the city's development analysis (2008-2014 m.) was made according to sustainable development in four areas: economic, social, environmental and institutional. There was also an integrated sustainable development index calculation made of the Siauliai city and interview survey analysis prepared. Summarizing the available data, calculations and interview results there were findings and recommendations presented and directions of the improvement given. One of the most important inference - Sustainable development is controlled, so one of the most important cities existence conditions are linked to the effective functioning of its strategic management, which provides urban development analysis (external and internal), vision, objectives, priorities, planning and management systems focused on sustainable Development dimensional integration. However, the municipality's strategic plans are not validated in the common system of indicators that allow better understand and assess urban sustainability, its excellence and areas for improvement. Meanwhile, based on our calculations, it is assumed that the city has evolved since the integrated value of the index during the analyzed period grew the fastest in the environmental and social areas. Nevertheless, the analysis of statistical and interview data, it can be concluded that quite a number of social, economic, environmental and governance issues prevail in the city. Based on the outcome of the investigation a vision of sustainable development of Siauliai city was formed including the improvement of certain directions, which are focused on strategic planning and management systems changes and also economic, social and environmental sustainable urban residential development.