Divided cities are urban regions in which social, political, or economic barriers have segregated the residents, affected the distribution of infrastructure and services, and generated parallel jurisdictions. The globe is full of cities, big and small, that were either divided but are now reunited or were divided and remain so. As divided cities are not uncommon, and the problems they have are manifold, they are an important issue in urban studies. There are several causes of divided cities. Most often, divisions occur as a result of shifts in [Page 226]national boundaries brought about by war and conflict. Europe's landscape is dotted with such cities. There are also some in China and in North America. Internal processes can also cause urban divisions. A particular form of ...