Reformulation of the urban narrative of the public domain of Al Quds Jerusalem as a city of conflict

Abstract

This chapter explores how Jerusalem’s urban narrative reflects political and sociocultural shifts over time, shaped by changes in authority, regime, and historical context. Focusing on the transformation of public spaces like Damascus Gate (Bab Al-Amud), it highlights the tension between local and imposed narratives. Jerusalem, a city with deep religious and political significance, has experienced ongoing transitions from Christian to Islamic dominance and now Israeli control, with each era reshaping the city’s identity. The chapter explores how contemporary governance mechanisms exert control through rituals and legislation, shaping public spaces to reflect authority and order. At the same time, local inhabitants reclaim these spaces as platforms for self-expression and cultural preservation, asserting their identity and resisting external influence. This dynamic underscores the inherent tension between centralized, top-down governance and the empowering agency of grassroots movements within contested urban landscapes. Damascus Gate stands as a central point in the ongoing narrative conflict, where governing authorities assert sovereignty, while local communities utilize the space to express belonging and solidarity. This study examines this urban contest through an analysis of documents, legal frameworks, and spatial mappings, shedding light on how public spaces in Jerusalem transform into arenas for competing narratives of identity, authority, and ownership. These dynamics highlight the complex interplay between spatial governance and community agency in contested urban environments.