The legacy of socialist central planning policy for the long-term development of cities: insights from case studies in East Germany

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses different categories of legacy from socialist central planning policies (SCPP) for urban development. How have city-specific measures by SCPP affected local economic systems, and have there been long-term consequences for cities even after their return to a market economy? Drawing from case studies of four East German cities, we identify several types of socialist policy measures that determine the local economic performance up to now. The impact of some measures was primarily displayed via ‘soft’ factors such as local image and identity and the attitudes of residents, local decision-makers.

Keywords

• local economic development
• post-socialist cities
• East Germany
• centrally planned economy
• path dependence