Citizen security and informal territories. Case study: Gran Yomasa, Bogotá, Colombia

This study evaluates citizens’ perceptions of security risks through a participatory   approach in the Gran Yomasa sector of Bogotá, Colombia, using a nonexperimental   quantitative methodology focused on commercial spaces. The   research recognises the area as a precarious urban settlement, characterised by   high levels of poverty, deteriorated infrastructure and exposure to various types   of crime. A risk matrix was defined using variables such as vulnerability,  exposure, dangerousness and degree of territorial consolidation, and surveys   were conducted with 55 people affiliated with the Yomasa institutional project.   The methodology involves identifying categories, variables and indicators   related to public space and applying a mathematical formula to determine the   level of perceived risk. The results show that areas such as bars, discos, shops   and supermarkets present very high levels of risk due to constant foot traffic and   low regulation. In contrast, activities such as hairdressing, hardware stores and   courier services are associated with low or very low levels of perceived risk. The   analysis included a comparison between citizens’ perceptions and official crime   statistics. The study concludes that perceived insecurity is strongly linked to   infrastructural conditions, spatial configuration and informality of trade. The   study proposes evidence-based urban planning, integrating environmental   criminology theories with participatory approaches to design inclusive crime   prevention strategies. Participation and physical improvement of the   environment are key elements in reducing insecurity and improving quality of life.