Divided Cities In Transition

Under the auspices of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (Foundation), two teams of urban researchers and planners- one team from Berlin composed of former East and West Germans, and one team from Jerusalem composed of Plaestinians and Israelis- have been meeting together within the framework of the Jerusalem Berlin Forum (JBF). They are becoming acquainted with the social terrain of each other’s cities and sharing their experiences and expertise. “Divided Cities in Transition” is the first fruit of their cooperation. Other JBF publications will follow. In “Divided Cities” , the Berlin urban experts team looks back on their experiences in the days folowing the collapse of the Berlin Wall. They provide us with two perspectives- the human perspective, their experience as citizens witnessing the dramatic events of those first days of reunification, and their professional perspective as planners, activists, and academics on the long and still unfolding process of becoming one society again. The Jerusalem team, not always in agreement, offers its analyses of how things evolved in this conflict-ridden divided city and , if peace comes, what mechanisms can promote a transition to sustainable peace. Some look forward to an open city serving as the capital of two sovereign states. Others argue that separation is the only pragmatic modus vivendi. There are 26 contributors to this publication.