The meaning of words in urban conflicts: Language, argumentation patterns and local politics in Israel

Urban development is frequently accompanied by planning disputes. Such disputes are often the battleground for a variety of opposing views and interests, in relation to specific urban and environmental assets and lifestyles. Analysis of three disputes that took place in Israel recently reveals a similarity in the patterns of argumentation that form the foundations of such debates. These patterns are valid, in spite of considerable differences between the contexts and actors involved in the three disputes. The claims made by disagreeing actors have their roots in common images of the built environment, the conflicting situation and the general politics of the conflict. In addition, in all three disputes, the same symmetrical structure of argumentation emerged, as each statement was countered with an opposite assertion.