Challenges in Building More Liveable Cities in Post-socialist European Countries: From “Cities4all” to “Cities4everyone”

Post-socialist European countries have followed a long path from communist urbanisation within a centralised economy, which praised collective values over individual opportunities, through a complicated transition process. It was oriented towards the return of the economy, institutions and society to capitalist values that increased welfare in most cities but also created inequalities and injustice. The current study provides a theoretical overview and an empirical exploratory assessment of liveability in Central and Eastern European (CEE) cities in the current change of paradigms that promote new concepts such as sustainable/green, smartness or resilience. We critically assess the state and dynamics of CEE cities’ liveability dimensions (nature and ecology, basic living conditions, urban security, culture and education) by differentiating between them and comparing them with cities from other regions of Europe. In doing so, we consider an objective statistical indicator-based approach and a subjective, complementary perspective that evaluates the degree of satisfaction of the population and individuals that live in cities. We also discuss the outcomes (both positive and negative) of adopting new approaches implemented worldwide, such as sustainability, resilience and smartness as the main concepts in urban development in post-socialist cities. Finally, we pay attention to the potential contributions of the capabilities theory of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum as “a missing link” in this framework. This is essential, as it places at the centre of urban development human freedoms and opportunities as well as planning policies for a more individualised approach focussed on liveability conditionalities and peoples’ happiness.