THE 'NEW URBAN WORLD': LIFE AND DEATH AND LIFE OF CITIES. EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION.

This introductory article underlines various patterns of urbanization in the 'New Urban World' as a starting point for reflections about the life and death and life of cities in the 21^st century. A particular emphasis is put on the shrinkage phenomenon and the possible recovery solutions, being highlighted that there is not just a single recipe in this respect. Relevant case studies from Central and Eastern Europe are brought into discussion, the idea of this special issue resulting from the animated debates of the plenary round table organized on this topic on the occasion of the 9^th International Conference of the Romanian Regional Science Association which took place in Galati, Romania, in May 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]