Urban Planning in Contested Spaces: Analyzing Jerusalem

Understanding how deeply contested cities function, grow, and plan for the future is one of the most critical challenges in modern urban studies. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the spatial politics, history, and urban planning dynamics of Jerusalem. Through written explanations and case analyses, you will learn to evaluate how political, cultural, and historical forces shape the physical landscape of a city, preparing you to analyze complex urban environments worldwide. What you'll learn: Understand the foundational history and diverse cultural narratives that shape Jerusalem's urban layout; Analyze the spatial politics of divided and contested cities through key urban planning theories; Examine the impact of infrastructure, zoning, and housing policies on community development; Explore modern urban resilience and sustainable development strategies in politically sensitive areas; Apply critical spatial analysis techniques to evaluate future visions for contested urban spaces. Starting with essential historical context and key urban terminology, this course guides you through policy analyses and spatial dynamics before examining modern challenges and future planning scenarios. Designed for beginners in urban planning, geography, international relations, or sociology, this course has no prior prerequisites. Begin your journey into the fascinating world of contested urban planning today.