Översiktsplanering i kommuner som krymper

Abstract

Sweden’s population has increased by over 1.5 million people since the mid-1970s. Despite this, almost half the municipalities reduced their population during the same time-period. Previous studies have shown that the size and composition of the population are of great importance for the municipalities. Nevertheless, most municipalities lack strategies for dealing with long-term population decline. The purpose of this article is to discuss whether the municipal comprehensive plan is, or has the potential to become, a context in which strategies for dealing with population decline can be developed and articulated. The discussion takes out from relevant planning theoretical research, and is based on a review of 20 comprehensive plans published by the municipalities showing the most extensive population decline over the past decade.