Since the beginning of the 1990s, Soviet urban residential communities have experienced rapid inflows of new urban functions. In this research project, two post-Soviet urban areas - Vilnius and St. Petersburg - are examined to indicate contrasting development paths over the last 30 years. The term “retail sprawl” describes correctly one of the important processes which have reshaped the former socialist microdistricts. We used data from the years 1987-1989, the last years of the socialist economy, and 2016 for 36 comparable research areas. By 2016 the structure of these formerly monofunctional areas made them functionally very similar to that of the urban core, including them in the intra-urban circulation of goods and capital, redirecting flows and making the city centre’s service burden much lighter. The results of the study provide a controversial contribution to the virtual discussion on universalism vs. uniqueness in post-socialist urban development. On the one hand, irrespective of contrasting “path-dependent” impacts, the structural results of retail development turned out to be generally identical in the studied cities at present, as well as in a prototypical North-American city 25 years ago. On the other hand, we found very pronounced differences compared to international patterns in morphological outcomes.

Zusammenfassung Die ausdifferenzierung von immobilienangebot und -nachfrage in den stadtregionen Mittelosteuropas nach 1990 deuten auf die neubewertung der sozialistischen großwohnsiedlungen als Wohnstandort hin. Die große Bedeutung dieses Marktsegments bei der Wohnraumversorgung sowie dessen Modernisierungsbedarf verdeutlichen den stellenwert der großwohnsiedlungen für die stadtentwicklung. Vor diesem hintergrund analysiert der Beitrag die aktuellen sozialen und baulichen situationen in vier ausgewählten großwohnsiedlungen Mittelosteuropas. Die möglichen entwicklungsperspektiven der Quartiere werden als chancen und handlungsbedarfe diskutiert, die sich aus dem Zusammenspiel von stadtregionalen Wohnungsmarktstrukturen, öffentlicher förderpoli-tik und lokalem Bewohnerhandeln zwischen Mobilität und eigeninitiative ergeben.Schlüsselwörter großwohnsiedlung · Mittel-und osteuropäische stadtregionen · Wohnungsmarkt · förderpolitik · Wohnzufriedenheit · segregation Abstract the differentiation of housing supply and demand in central-eastern european urban regions since 1990 adumbrates the reassessment of socialist large scale housing estates as housing location. the importance of this market segment in terms of housing supply as well as its need for refurbishment stresses on the significance of large-scale housing estates in urban development. against this background the authors analyse the current social and edificial situations in four selected large-scale housing estates in central-eastern europe. Potential perspectives for its developments are discussed as opportunities and needs for action, resulting from the interplay of regional housing market structures, public policy of subsidies and dwellers' behaviour between mobility and do-it-yourself initiatives.

Regional development is a complex process that can be analysed in various contexts, including environmental, social and economic factors. Variations in the levels of development are naturally observed across countries and regions, but they play a special role in trans-border regions. The aim of this study is to investigate differences in the level of development of two Polish voivodships (Warmia and Mazury, and Podlasie) and two Lithuanian counties (Marijampolė and Alytus) which are trans-border regions (NUTS 4 level). The study was conducted by analysing three subordinate criteria, namely environmental, social and economic factors, as well as the overall development of the evaluated regions with the use of the analytical hierarchy process and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution methods. The evaluated trans-border regions are characterised by a predominance of rural areas and considerable variations in development. The entire area is characterised by high natural value. This is an important observation because the condition of the natural environment is a key determinant of well-being, and it directly influences the quality of life. The analysis revealed considerable demographic problems, mainly in Lithuanian regions, resulting from low population growth and a negative net migration rate which influence population structure. Disproportions in regional development call for regional policies that are adapted to local needs and resources.

This article provides an overview about the new tendencies on the Lithuanian housing market shedding light on the development of the gated and guarded neighbourhoods (GGNs). Field surveys and interviews with developers, residents as well as local planning authorities in Vilnius and its surroundings provide the basis of discussion about the "fencing phenomenon". Can this phenomenon be explained by such factors like socio-economic segregation in the city, extensive marketing or a specifi c niche on the market? The research results show that gated neighbourhoods are established not only because of the need to prevent residents from violence or to show their social status but also to protect their lives from the chaotic and socially unstable outside world where the gates have more symbolic meanings.

Perspectives of gated communities' socio-spatial integration: the case of pos... Belgeo, 4 | 2018 Perspectives of gated communities' socio-spatial integration: the case of pos... Belgeo, 4 | 2018 Perspectives of gated communities' socio-spatial integration: the case of pos...