Thinning is a concept familiar across the world but perhaps nowhere is the problem so acute as in Russia, with its vast landmass and troubled demographic trends. An obvious manifestation of thinning is shrinking cities, whose original purpose has been eroded or abandoned, but the concept also extends to ostensibly healthy urban environments where new architecture results in low-density population. The research also looks at smaller conurbations, such as the Russian mono-cities arranged entirely around one industry or factory, as well as thinning non-urban environments and the countryside. The aim is to use the Russian perspective as a route in to a discussion with global ramifications.