ABSTRACT
Conflicts and tensions are at the heart of the development of cities, but where the impact of these on the urban space requires reconstruction from the ground, the difficulties and complexities of recovery are wrought with hurdles and differing priorities. This chapter looks at hurdles faced by those living in the city of Dili, a fast-evolving post-conflict city, that has become increasingly complex with different layers of connections and diversity, with large population movements and largely unregulated occupation. The chapter addresses public space as a missing element in the development of the city, presenting its absence as a hurdle towards development. It results from reflections on interviews conducted in Dili with a broad group of actors and analysis of the existing planning documents. The chapter takes the perspective of the right to the city and frames analysis within the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda, and the relevance of public space for greater democracy in support of peacebuilding. Through this chapter the authors support the thinking that to generate stability in a post-conflict city, planning and creating space for community-led processes should be considered as well-placed tools to dissipate and address tensions that can perpetuate conflict.
