The very concept of 'post-conflict', often cited by political leaders, cannot apply to divided cities as these urban conflicts don't begin or end in the same way that wars do. Divided cities such as Jerusalem, Belfast and Nicosia will permanently retain the symptoms of cities at war while the physical features of their division remain.If these cities are to develop while high levels of conflict remain, international efforts need to connect directly with communities to ensure that funds are channelled away from politically biased, short-sighted plans, local participation in planning decisions is vital in giving people a stake in the rejuvenation of their cities and a role in addressing their conflicts' says Cambridge University's Dr Wendy Pullan, principal investigator for 'Conflict in Cities and the Contested State.
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