Governing diversity in socially fragmented urban settings: 'Skopje 2014' and the ethnocratic homogenization of public spaces

摘要

As a response to the erosion of North Macedonia's confidence in the international domain and following the decay of its capital city, a grandiose and costly urban project called 'Skopje 2014' was initiated to transform public spaces utilizing country's glorious past. This model for governing diversity based on ethnocratic homogenization led to further tensions among ethnic groups and reduced the role of citizens as spectators of how public spaces and the city are created. A transformative, deliberative planning culture is needed - one that recognizes the inconsistencies in the ethnic histories and imaginaries and allows change as an inevitable part of our identities.