%0 Thesis
%9 Master
%A Gennip, Doo-Hwan van
%D 2021
%F theses_frw:3412
%P 53
%T Stories about shrinkage: An analysis of planning narratives in the province of Groningen
%U https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/3412/
%X In the coming decades, the province of Groningen will likely continue experiencing a polarisation between ‘Stad’ and ‘Ommeland’. While the city of Groningen can expect continued growth of the economy and population, the northern and eastern parts of the province of Groningen are projected to continue to undergo a process of shrinkage. This development raises certain challenges to spatial planning in these areas and will require new ways of thinking. At the same time, current growth-oriented planning strategies are coming under increased criticism especially in shrinking contexts. This thesis used the concept of storytelling in planning to explore the narratives that are told about shrinkage by two shrinking municipalities (Delfzijl and Stadskanaal) and the provincial government of Groningen. With the help of interviews and an analysis of policy documents, the underlying policies, frames and goals of current shrinkage policies were analysed in relation to the growth and post-growth paradigms. Results suggest that traditional forms of growth are no longer the main goal of planning efforts and that a new ‘liveability’ narrative has emerged. However, aspects of this narrative can be questioned in relation to their full departure from growth-oriented planning and a further concretisation of the new narrative might be needed to prevent it from being diluted by competing growth-oriented narratives.