The article argues that conflict is inherent to urban life. With the increasing economic, political and cultural importance of cities, the management of urban conflict becomes essential to the well-being of the majority of the world's people. Communication in the sense of `disarming conversation' can play a crucial role in preventing low-intensity disputes escalating towards violent and deeply damaging conflicts. A key element of the `right to the city' should be the `right to a communicative city'.
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