Comparing Urban Difference: Learning from Jerusalem and Stockholm

The reality of spatial and social divisions in “contested” cities has been recognized in urban studies for over a century. Such cities are characterized by divisions of group membership and residential segregation. On the one hand, this loose definition of “divided city” spans a wide comparative range. On the other hand, a growing body of knowledge points particularly to "extremely divided cities" (EDC). These are cities claimed to contain extreme ethno - national divisions originating from an active national conflict and a contestation of the nation state. It has been argued that these cities contain distinctive attributes positioning them within an exclusive discourse differentiating them from other urban areas. Some of the well-known examples include: Baghdad, Beirut, Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Jerusalem, Mostar, Nicosia, Kirkuk and Sarajevo.