Urban transformation processes in Central and Eastern European countries are associated with profound social and spatial changes. The developmental trajectories of many cities are further shaped by increasing globalization, demographic change, and the impacts of the financial and economic crisis. Against this backdrop, Anja Erdmann examines the emergence and effects of shrinkage- and growth-related urban development processes in Central and Eastern European metropolises. Using the case studies of Łódź and Gdańsk, she also considers the independent and quite divergent development paths, thereby contributing to a nuanced understanding of the urban transformation process.