Urban Consequences of Division in ‘Divided Cities’: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

In the last three decades, there has been a growing body of literature concerned with a specific form of urban division, classified by its extremity. Whether the cities experiencing extreme division are called partitioned, polarized, contested, or generally divided, the main issues are similar: disruptive tensions related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, and culture. Well-known examples include Belfast, Jerusalem, Nicosia, Sarajevo, Mostar, Beirut, and Berlin. Due to their distinctive attributes, these cities have an exclusive discourse differentiating them from other urban areas. This paper comparatively analyses the urban consequences of division in selected case studies—Belfast, Beirut, Berlin, and Jerusalem. After a brief summary of general definitions and concepts of the ‘divided city,’ each case is examined in relation to its divisive attributes. As each city has unique geographical, historical, and economic characteristics, their division processes and outcomes differ substantially. The analysis evaluates the consequences of division in concordance with these processes. The conclusion reveals that, despite differences, a common pattern of functional, structural, and social urban consequences emerges. These general outcomes may provide insights for future studies aiming to develop planning models to address the problems of divided cities.