Understanding urban complexity in the light of asymmetrical warfare: topological systems and complex relationship for analyzing the space of urban conflict

In: http://www.planum.bedita.net/planum-magazine/conference-proceedings-1/nul-session-4

Abstract

Beyond any metaphor, urban complexity is the strongest defensive weapon of a city that faces unpredictable challenges. This can be extremely well exampled through the analysis of the effective role of complexity in recent urban warfare. By representing complexity as a topological system of complex spatial relationships, this paper introduces a tool for analyzing this role in some recent conflicts, where complexity has proved to be a key agent, forcing modern and developed armies to change or adapt their tactics and strategies after being defeated by far less equipped forces, allied with the complex urban setting. This confirms the hypothesis of the importance of urban complexity in situations of incertitude and its ability to anticipate a wide range of futures. Urban planning history has always been closely linked to military strategy history. Although it is not well known, this link is still ever-present. Therefore, while we may think that war is no more than an extreme aspect of (uneven) social and economic conflicts, it can be used as a powerful instrument to understand urban behavior. ; Peer Reviewed ; Postprint (published version)