Revisiting the local turn in peacebuilding – through the emerging urban approach

In this article, we revisit the ‘local turn’ debate in peacebuilding literature, and explore its most recent promising approach to ‘the local’, focussing on post-war cities urban dimensions of peacebuilding. There is still substantive contestation frustration research field with regards conceptual fuzziness continual failures international interventions actually take into account local perspectives, promote agency establish ownership. what extent approaches can help alleviate some problems that has persisted literature. We reflect raise questions about a focus perspectives contributing study more specifically. suggest three facets analytical added value: (1) an increased understanding how particularities rural space affects locally potentially beyond; (2) are interrelated traditional territoriality; (3) methodological benefits city/urban as (local) entry point. also discuss potential pitfalls limitations peacebuilding, identify prospective pathways for further research.