Cities with ever-decreasing populations must adapt existing structures to ensure their continued ability to function. Shrinkage is accompanied by harsh economic conditions. Planners can often merely intervene on a small scale, rather than taking sweeping measures to improve standards.

The boundaries of Saxony-Anhalt reflect recent political definitions. These demarcations have cut off some regional areas along the borders of Saxony-Anhalt, for instance Harz or Braunschweig, from their historic provinces. If these political boundaries were ignored or drawn up anew, the future of small and medium-sized cities in Saxony-Anhalt might lie in establishing an intensive network between the cities and the surrounding landscapes.