Quantification of land use changes, modelling of processes and impacts of shrinkage and the question of scale

Following the purpose of understanding and analysis of interactions between society and landscape in urban areas this paper tries to give a methodological and practical insight into the assessment of socio-environmental impacts under conditions of uneven spatial development. In that context the paper draws special attention to the quantification and modelling of land use changes and shrinkage processes, in particular, based on empirical ascertainable and communal data and empirical research techniques. A second focus highlights a conceptual approach for the assessment of functionality of urban green spaces against the concepts of quality of Life (QoL) and associated Ecosystem Services (ESS) in urban areas dealing with both quantitative modelling and emprirical qualitative research techniques. In a third focus the question of choosing the right scale for assessment and modelling of land-use changes will be dealt with as spatial dynamics and their socioenvironmental effects seem to be very variable on a smaller scale and extreme within shrinking cities.