What is the definition of urban decline?

Urban decline is the deterioration of a city as a result of poor maintenance and lack of investment. The characteristics of urban decline include increased unemployment rates, decreased economic performance, and poor housing and health facilities.

Common causes of urban decline include poor political decisions, out-migration of skilled and wealthy people, lack of ethnic integration, lack of proper planning, loss of a major company or industry, and concentration of low income groups in an area. Urban decline reduces the economic stability of a city or town and may lead to social issues, such as high crime rates, depopulation and split families.