The shrinking mining city: urban dynamics and contested territory.
Cristina Martinez-Fernandez1, Chung-Tong Wu, Laura K Schatz
1University of Western Sydney, Australia.
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research
|April 24, 2012
Summary
Shrinking mining cities face decline due to reliance on single corporations and fluctuating mineral markets. Company strategies significantly impact urban planning and community challenges in these towns.
Area of Science:
- Urban Planning
- Economic Geography
- Sociology
Background:
- Shrinking mining cities are settlements dependent on a single mining operation.
- These cities experience population and economic decline mirroring mineral market fluctuations.
Observation:
- The fortunes of mining towns are tied to the strategies of dominant corporations.
- Fluctuations in workforce and population parallel the company's development.
- Climate, services, and transport also impact lifestyles, but corporate dependence is distinctive.
Findings:
- Economic and population decline in mining cities is driven by a singular reliance on the mining industry.
- The parallel development between towns and private sector operators defines their shrinkage.
Implications:
- Understanding corporate influence is crucial for urban management in shrinking mining cities.
- Addressing planning and community challenges requires acknowledging the unique economic structure of these settlements.
- Case studies from Australia, Canada, Japan, and Mexico offer insights into managing these urban environments.
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