urban fragmentation — Blog

Urban fragmentation has been a dominant inherent feature of cities today, it is “A key tribute of the spatial structure of cities”. Urban fragmentation, whether we admit it or not, is a direct consequence of urban sprawl often associated with higher-income cities. However, one should pause for a moment when this phenomenon is driven by geo-political situation and when an apartheid system is celebrated and passed on through urban planning practices.

This example was successfully portrayed in the UNESCO-medal-winning film “200 Meters'', by Ameen Nayfeh, where urban fragmentation is entangled with the concept of the right to the city. The film tells the story of a Palestinian father who lives 200 meters away from the rest of his family due to unique living conditions. Owing to the separation wall that divides their city into two fragmented sides, the father has to line up in long queues on a daily basis, so as to cross through checkpoints to reach his family's side. Each portion of the city along the wall falls under different jurisdictions (Palestine/Israel), distinguishing between people’s rights living on different sides. Here, the question of the right to the city arises, highlighting the geography of immobility controlling the Palestinian side, for the supposedly “security purposes”. The climax of the film is reached, when the once 200 meters daily journey of the father turns into a 200 km road trip. Due to the expired permission to cross the checkpoint, the father has to resort to “illegal” smuggler to make it to the other side, rushing to see his son who had a car accident.

With that being said, urban fragmentation is not only an indication of higher-income cities. It could, also, be utilized as a planning tool that renders a city as unjust and exclusive. When intertwined with an apartheid system, it would create a marginalized population, depriving them from equal access to urban resources.

Healing the wounds of the city: Urban fragmentation and reconnection in postindustrial landscapes*

Is fragmentation reversible? Can urban "wounds" and "scars" actually heal? Is there a way to "re-stitch" the city? The answer is yes. However, is it feasible? Yes, but not always. There are technical, financial, political and jurisdictional challenges to reconnect fragmented landscapes. In the last ten years, cities across the world have substantially invested in reconnecting urban space. However, most of them use “major-surgery-like” interventions that require large demolitions and reconstruction of existing infrastructure. Celebrated projects such as The New York Highline Park, The Cheonggyecheon Stream Park and Seullo 7010 in Seoul completely reinterpret infrastructure lines and turn them into vibrant public spaces. Such projects are strategic interventions in the territory. That is to say, they are conceived with a large-scale and long-term approach. But the reality is that most cities cannot afford projects of such scale. However they can opt for a tactical approach (small-scale and short-term interventions).