EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Human security for an urban century

Human security for an urban century - local challenges, global perspectives

Introduction

'Human security for an urban century' examines in detail the nature and scale of organised armed violence in urban areas around the globe. A general narrative describes and analyses the current state of security and crime in today’s urbanising world. Forty academic experts provide in depth analysis and case studies to support the main line of argument: building secure cities is critical for the prevention of armed violence and the protection of civilians. This requires a clear recognition of the linkages between security and development. It does not only apply to cities in the developing world, but goes for cities in the developed countries as well.

Description

This publication draws on the work of forty external academic contributors. They apply an urban lens to fields including children and armed conflict, security system reform, small arms and light weapons, stabilisation and reconstruction, peace building and democracy promotion.

The contributions of the forty experts are grouped in five themes:

human security at the dawn of an urban century
armed conflict and failed public security in cities
the human face of urban insecurity
conflict-resilient cities
safer cities for an urban century

The general narrative addresses in more general terms the five above mentioned themes. It provides a good analytic framework urban crime and urban security issues.

Background information

This publication is the product of a partnership between:

the Human Security Research and Outreach Programme of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
the Canadian Consortium on Human Security (CCHS)

Conclusions

Each of the forty contributions tells its own story with its own conclusions. some of the general observations made are:

Secure cities are cities with effective public security, with inclusive, participatory governance and with positive social capital.
Today’s cities do not protect their citizens with walls but with effective public security forces capable of maintaining the rule of law.
Effective inclusive and responsive governance at the local level can play a key role in preventing mitigating violent conflict by easing tensions between groups.
Cities have both a role to play in improving human security and the potential to provide it. They are logical entry points for policy interventions that seek to enhance public security and trust.

Contact info

Human Security Cities
info@humansecurity-cities.org

Publication date

01/01/2007

Article info
ISBN: 978-0-9782610-0-9

Links

Visit the Human Security Cities website Visit the CCHS website

Download "Human security for an urban century" (PDF, Eng, 3.5 MB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords

Security & crime prevention