Bordered Cities and Divided Societies

<p><em>Bordered Cities and Divided Societies</em> is a provocative moving and poetic encounter with the hearts and minds of individuals living in nine cities of conflict violence and healing—Jerusalem Belfast Johannesburg Nicosia Sarajevo Mostar Barcelona Bilbao and Beirut. Based on research spanning 25 years including 360 interviews and over two and a half years of in-country field research this innovative work employs a series of concise reflective narrative essays grouped into four thematic sections to provide a humanistic “on-the-ground” understanding of divided cities conflict and peacemaking. Incorporating both scholarly analyses based on empirical research and introspective essays Bollens digs underneath grand narratives of conflict to illuminate the complexities and paradoxes of living amid nationalistic political strife and the challenges of planning and policymaking in divided societies. Richly illustrated the book includes informative synopses about the cities that provide access for general readers while extensive connections to recent literature enhance the book’s research value to scholars.</p>