Sustainable Daily | Green Safety

Security is now a common theme in the platforms of the leading presidential candidates according to the latest polls. Jeannette Jara proposes measures such as strengthening security institutions, combating organized crime, and modernizing the police; José Antonio Kast proposes strengthening intelligence systems, border control, and greater coordination with the Armed Forces; and Evelyn Matthei emphasizes strengthening the Carabineros (Chilean police force), regaining control of prisons, and using surveillance technology.

In all three cases, the emphasis is on reactive and control responses, while preventive approaches—such as urban planning and territorial organization aimed at strengthening citizen security—are mentioned in a general way and do not constitute central axes.

International experiences reinforce the correlation between more public spaces—with green areas as a common denominator—and greater safety. In Philadelphia, a Columbia University study demonstrated that by reclaiming abandoned urban land through the removal of trash and debris, planting grass, and reforestation, violent crime was reduced by 30%, community fear of going outside decreased by 58%, and the use of outdoor spaces increased by 76%.

On the other hand, a study conducted by researchers from the Singapore University of Social Sciences and Bournemouth University, focusing on the Eduardo Santos neighborhood of Medellín, Colombia, showed that urban interventions—including pedestrian paths, public spaces, and small green areas—were associated with a significant decrease in violence.

Meanwhile, in Chile, the evidence also points in the same direction. The Chilean Chamber of Construction showed that in municipalities with a higher perception of insecurity, there are only 0.8 m² of quality green spaces per inhabitant, compared to 1.5 m² in those with a lower perception of insecurity.

In times of programs and promises, it is crucial that security be addressed from a comprehensive perspective that not only combats crime but also recognizes that the environment can either facilitate or hinder its occurrence. This is where urban planning plays a key role as a preventative platform. Increasing access to public spaces such as plazas and parks with nature and quality infrastructure is investing in a “green” security model, which, in addition to strengthening the social fabric, allows us to reclaim land from crime and return it to those who want to live in peace.

By Diego Urrejola, Executive Director of the Cosmos Foundation

Read the column in Diario Sustentable