The role of real estate development activity in the re-urbanization of cities – a case study of Łódź, Poland

Abstract The suburbanization of cities began in many countries after World War II and was caused, among other things, by the growing popularity motor car, development transport networks, growth human populations. In post-socialist countries, this process started later (mainly collapse socialism). Suburbanization often an uncontrolled phenomenon (due for instance to ineffective urban spatial policy), which contributed sprawl, developers played a significant role. costs city maintenance have prompted local authorities undertake planned activities re-urbanization. increase recent years encourages reflection on their importance these processes. This article aims outline role developers, responsible new construction reconstruction existing facilities, re-urbanization, using Łódź, Poland, as case study. It is example post-industrial which, suburbanization, combined with proceeded rapidly 1989. depopulation has also been observed Łódź several years. Therefore, re-urbanization may be antidote some Łódź’s population problems. methods desk research study were used achieve aim.