Narrating Divided Cities: The Theoretical and Methodological Framework

The notion of narratives can be regarded as a significant tool to map the complex means by which social relations are organized, made meaningful, and maintained (Somers, 1994). On the borders of Europe, social relations are often constructed across national dividing lines. Especially now, given the social consequences of COVID-19, which include re-bordering processes in Europe, the question of borders and bordering is in the spotlight. Against this backdrop, this article elaborates on the concept of narratives, which may be crucial for understanding the complex processes of deconstructing and reconstructing state borders and social boundaries. By focusing on three types of narratives—individual, public, and spatial—we apply the narrative approach to exploring divided cities and propose an analytical model that could contribute to an understanding of the processes occurring in border cities and could thus broaden the field of studies on borders and space