Speaker
Description
This research seeks to develop an understanding of Baghdad's understudied role in processes of collective identity building and how different visions of citizenship have changed the face of the city. Since the establishment of the Iraqi state in 1921, the capital has been central to questions of belonging and social stability in the country. The richness of Baghdad's ethnic and sectarian traditions, as well as their prominent influences on the urban fabric, make it a unique example. Each phase of the city's history offers insights into processes of identity and nation-building that are hard to find elsewhere. In this sense, Baghdad has gone through different phases, from being a melting pot for all Iraqis to becoming the epicenter of division after 2003.
The focus is on the post-2003 period, especially as the city has regained its role in constructing inclusive visions of nationhood in recent years. Due to the lack of appropriate methodologies, the new concept of "cultural capacity" is developed and implemented here. It serves as a tool to analyze the cultural heterogeneity of the city, the accessibility of its spaces for social interaction, and the visibility it offers to different forms of belonging at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. In addition, the spaces most relevant to these processes are thoroughly documented to provide insights from the perspective of everyday life. The findings are essential to anticipate the role of Baghdad, especially after the end of the last wave of ethno-sectarian violence and the Tahrir uprising in October 2019.
| Keywords | Inclusive spaces; Nation-building; ethno-confessional identities; diverse cities |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
