It is generally well recognised that conflict, in some form, is an important component of the urban condition; this is often seen in terms of cultural diversity or difference, but may also be seen as part of such central institutions as judicial and democratic processes. Clearly, we need to distinguish between difference that is productive and edifying, and violence that is meaningless and degenerative. The question of ongoing and productive conflict has implications for any peace process that focuses only on a solution or a recognisable end to the conflict; rather, that there is the question of how certain levels of conflict may be maintained. The notion of agon, constructive struggle or conflict, is rooted in ancient ideas of urban life and practice. In modern times, it is found in political philosophy forming part of theories of pluralism and difference, as in the work of William Connolly, Chantal Mouffe and John Gray, among others. In our research we wish to investigate how agon can be reincorporated with the city in order to understand whether conflict in modern contested cities can be channelled in a constructive sense. Especially the capacity of the city to reciprocally absorb and structure conflict will be addressed in what may be called agonistic urbanism.

The research will be both theoretical and practical, the latter exploring both historic and contemporary examples of agon as diverse as sport, public demonstration and civic and state ritual. Various project cities will play a major role here, such as the impact of demonstrations in Beirut’s Bourj Square after the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, the changing attitudes to the Berlin wall since its demise, and the possibilities for the many examples of public participation and unrest, as well as graffiti, urban art and personal dress. Most importantly, evidence and residues for agonistic urbanism will be sought in our two primary cities, Belfast and Jerusalem.