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

Abstract

Globally the world witnesses several efforts towards uniting cities. Majorcities are almost heterogeneous in terms of culture and ethnicity; this implies thatevery city is divided to certain extent. Many reasons may cause city division, wheredivision occurs due to less negotiable aspects as nationality, sovereignty, ethnicity,or religion. Although these affecting aspects may be few, but they allow greatinsight into how division can ruin a city. Many people around the world may besuffering of living in divided cities, where sometimes there are no and in other timesthe borders may exist in a line, a buffer, or even mentally. Segregation will alwayslead to a dead city at the end, while urbanists and architects are seeking sustainablecities. Yet, there is neglection for the architecture solutions although that it couldbe a tool for gathering the divisions socially, economically, religiously, orculturally. 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 architecturalsolutions, could directly help on solving economical, touristic, and even politicalissues to achieve a unified convivial city. Moreover, the study is acknowledging theimportance of governments and politicians believes towards architecture as a toolfor unifying divided cities.