Power of Public Space for Post-conflict Reconstruction in Contested Cities

This networking event focuses on knowledge sharing on public space and its meaning in conflict cities for shaping resilient communities. In conflict cities, for example, in divided cities like Nicosia, in the course of daily life, urban public space is often shared more than residents realize. Thus, urban public spaces create room for unexpected or surprising encounters and illustrate both the potential and challenges of having a less segregated city. The event intends to bring together public space experts, scholars, designers, professionals, planners, etc. to share experiences and knowledge that they have gained in conflict cities of Nicosia, Famagusta, East Jerusalem, Johannesburg, Beirut, Sarajevo-Bosnia, Berlin, and Prishtina. As has been indicated in a Briefing Paper (4) prepared by the Center for Urban Conflict Research at the University of Cambridge, "in divided / conflicting cities, urban planners and relevant organizations must ensure that fragile social arrangements that encourage mixing of residents are not disrupted by the imposition of barriers and basic sharing of space may depend on people having mundane reasons to be together, such as shopping, work and the use of health care facilities." Accordingly, following two keynote presentations on the topic, representatives of Research Institutes / Centers about Conflict and Planning are invited to contribute to the event through "PechaKucha" type of presentations to express their views on the power of the public space in conflict cities based on their experience.