Planning in Divided Cities (ePub)

Does planning in contested cities inadvertedly make the divisions
worse? The 60s and 70s saw a strong role of planning, social
engineering, etc but there has since been a move towards a more
decentralised 'community planning' approach.



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