Architecture as a tool for unifying divided cities; A case study of Nicosia

Abstract

Globally the world witnesses several efforts towards uniting cities. Major cities are almost heterogeneous in terms of culture and ethnicity; this implies that every city is divided to certain extent. Many reasons may cause city division, where division occurs due to less negotiable aspects as nationality, sovereignty, ethnicity, or religion. Although these affecting aspects may be few, but they allow great insight into how division can ruin a city. Many people around the world may be suffering of living in divided cities, where sometimes there are no and in other times the borders may exist in a line, a buffer, or even mentally. Segregation will always lead to a dead city at the end, while urbanists and architects are seeking sustainable cities. Yet, there is neglection for the architecture solutions although that it could be a tool for gathering the divisions socially, economically, religiously, or culturally. Hence, when they are gathered, they may generate one revival city. Accordingly, this study focuses on a case study that suffers from the concept of “Divided Cities”, and highlight how social aspect, through the architectural solutions, could directly help on solving economical, touristic, and even political issues to achieve a unified convivial city. Moreover, the study is acknowledging the importance of governments and politicians believes towards architecture as a tool for unifying divided cities.