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Peacelines

The peacelines in Belfast, like the one below, are one of its fundamental spatial features and one of the most unique geographical structures of any modern city. They are used to physically separate opposing, ethnically segregated neighborhoods and their existence has several effects on the populations along the interface. Walls as dividing structures are not unique to Belfast, however it is perhaps one of the only modern, democratic cities today maintaining and constructing permanent walls across the urban landscape. Some of the walls were built as recently as January 1998 with continued adaptation, expansion and construction very likely. "Peaceline," "peacewall," and "interface" are often used interchangably, though peaceline and peacewall usually refer to the structure itself and interface to a less-formal or imaginary boundary.