The book examines urban planning and policy in the context of deeply
contested space, where place identity and cultural affinities are
reshaping cities. Throughout the world, contentions around identity
and territory abound, and in Britain, this problem has found recent
expression in debates about multiculturalism and social cohesion.
These issues are most visible in the urban arena, where socially
polarised communities co-habit cities also marked by divided ethnic
loyalties. The relationship between the two is complicated by the
typical pattern that social disadvantage is disproportionately
concentrated among ethnic groups, who also experience a social and
cultural estrangement, based on religious or racial identity.
Navigating between social exclusion and community cohesion is
essential for the urban challenges of efficient resource use,
environmental enhancement, and the development of a flourishing economy.
The book addresses planning in divided cities in a UK and
international context, examining cities such as Chicago,
hyper-segregated around race, and Jerusalem, acting as a crucible for
a wider conflict.
The first section deals with concepts and theories, examining the
research literature and situating the issue within the urban
challenges of competitiveness and inclusion. Section 2 covers
collaborative planning and identifies models of planning, policy and
urban governance that can operate in contested space. Section 3
presents case studies from Belfast, Chicago and Jerusalem, examining
both the historical/contemporary features of these cities and their
potential trajectories. The final section offers conclusions and ways
forward, drawing the lessons for creating shared space in a pluralist
cities and addressing cohesion and multiculturalism.
• Addresses important contemporary issue of social cohesion vs. urban
competitiveness
• focus on impact of government policies will
appeal to practitioners in urban management, local government and
regeneration
• Examines role of planning in cities worldwide
divided by religion, race, socio-economic, etc
• Explores debate
about contested space in urban policy and planning
• Identifies
models for understanding contested spaces in cities as a way of
improving effectiveness of government policy
Professor Frank Gaffikin (Director of Research) and Professor Mike
Morrissey: both of the Institute of Spatial and Environmental Planning,
School of Planning and Civil Engineering, Queen's University Belfast
