Browsing by Author "Hagström, Olga"

This study researches the perceived sense of security in the neighbourhoods of La Floresta and La Ronda in Quito. The principal aim of the research is to find out how the sense of security in a neighbourhood can be improved, especially by the residents themselves. The argumentation is built on three main questions: How is the current perception of security in the neighbourhood? How can the community influence it? How do public policies assist the progress? The thesis is designed as a qualitative research, with the main method employed being semi-structured interviews. Eight interviews were carried out in two different neighbourhoods. The interviewees are citizens, who actively take part in their communities' activities, mostly through neighbourhood associations. The interviews were processed in state-of-the-art content analysis software. Both neighbourhoods were experienced as relatively safe compared to the rest of the city. This was found to be caused by a positive community spirit, but was also attributed to a high police presence. The overall improved security in the country, and the decrease of corruption over the last years further influence the perceived safety. The primary causes for feeling unsafe are theft and to some extent drug- trafficking. The citizens of both research areas felt that they were able to influence the matters of their own neighbourhood. For instance, safety patrols have been arranged, and workshops on neighbourhood safety held. In general, the communities aim to improve safety using both 'soft' and 'hard' methods: for example, on the one hand enhancing community spirit, on the other hand increasing video surveillance. People voiced their dissatisfaction with public policies. The core criticism addresses the disperse and diffuse organisation of the national and city level public administration, and their inefficient cooperation. While the communities see themselves as in principle capable of influencing local decisions, finding the responsible authority within the notoriously inflexible bureaucracy proves to be laborious. Additionally, corruption of officials continues to reinforce and preserve inequalities. In summary, this research reinforces the view that planning safer environments should not be done only through crime prevention or technical approaches on their own. Rather, neighbourhood safety should be seen as a broader concept which reflects the problems of the society as a whole. We need comprehensive solutions and a better understanding from the side of the administration and the community.