PUBLIC SPACE AND URBAN SECURITY

Abstract

This article examines the right to public space from the perspective of the relationship between public space, urban security, and social control practices in the Colombian context. Using a critical approach, it assesses how certain security policies, justified by crime prevention and maintaining order, have led to restrictions on use and access that affect the democratic function and inclusive nature of these spaces. Within this framework, the research aims to answer the question: To what extent have urban security policies in Colombia transformed the democratic nature of public space, and how can citizen management and participation models be consolidated as effective strategies for harmonizing security with the full exercise of citizens' rights in these environments? The analysis highlights experience participatory management of public space, such as participatory budgets, citizen oversight committees, local security and coexistence councils, as well as community programs for the appropriation and maintenance of parks, squares, and urban corridors. These initiatives allow citizens to influence the planning, use, and preservation of space, reducing conflicts and strengthening legitimate social control through community co-responsibility.