The Continuation of Conflict-related Violence in Postwar Cities: Mapping violence at the street level
The continuation of conflict-related violence from war to peace tends to be particularly concentrated in contested postwar cities. Beirut (Lebanon), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Mitrovica (Kosovo) and Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) are all topical cases where, to different degree, such violence has concentrated – in turn, making these postwar cities dangerous for citizens to live in; poorly functioning; and flashpoints for renewed armed conflict. The concentration of conflict-related violence in postwar cities thus has grave consequences in, for, and beyond them. Understanding the patterns and causes of this violence necessitates comparative data on how, when, and where conflict-related violence manifests in postwar cities.
Details
- Period: 2020-01-01 – 2024-12-31
- Budget: 5,973,377 SEK
- Funder: Swedish Research Council
Description
This project addresses this research gap by creating a comprehensive large-N dataset on conflict-related violence in postwar cities, where events are disaggregated and geocoded at the street level. We use this novel data to analyse patterns and trends of conflict-related violence in postwar cities and explore its causes. To complement quantitative analysis and assess theoretical mechanisms at more depth, we conduct fieldwork in the postwar cities Beirut, Belfast, Mitrovica and Abidjan.
As a whole, the project aims to advance our theoretical and empirical knowledge on conflict-related violence in postwar cities. In turn, this knowledge can be used to theorise preventive measures, explore intraurban conflict dynamics, and assess the impact of conflict-related violence on the constitution and functioning of postwar cities.
Cities have a special status in society and feature specific dynamics which make them particularly exposed to continued violence after war. Such postwar violence can uphold and deepen divisions between societal groups and impede the transition toward durable peace. Our project establishes a novel dataset which, together with in-depth case studies, allows us to increase scientific knowledge about the causes of violence in postwar cities and how it can be addressed and prevented, says project leader Emma Elfversson.
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