Shrinking Cities in Romania. Orașe românești în declin

Authors’ Comment

The Shrinking Cities in Romania project, conceived by architect and curator Ilinca Păun Constantinescu, took shape after a research that has begun more than ten years ago. Written in English and Romanian and internationally distributed, the two 800 pages volumes discuss the shrinkage of Romanian cities as a widespread phenomenon. The publication follows the structure of the exhibition presented at the MNAC in 2016, a pioneering initiative to raise awareness about an acute and pervasive, yet too little discussed matter, and substantially complements its contents through extensive articles by distinguished researchers. Although mostly perceived as a negative phenomenon, shrinkage can be a vector for modernization and innovation, re-use, alternative resources, artistic creation, and reevaluation of interpersonal relationships. * Editorial project funded by AFCN, OAR, German Embassy Bucharest, MNAC Bucharest, DOM publishers, IDEILAGRAM Association.

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