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Blog November 13, 2024

6 Promising Solutions for Urban Violence Reduction: Lessons from Around the Globe

Front page of 6 Promising Solutions for Urban Violence Reduction: Lessons from Around the Globe
  • Halving Global Violence
  • Pathfinders
  • Peace in Our Cities
Half of the world’s population lives in cities, a trend that will likely continue to increase in the upcoming decades. As the need to address urban violence becomes increasingly urgent, cities across different continents are demonstrating that progress is possible. Through innovative, multi-sectoral strategies and community-driven efforts, they are not only reducing violence but also setting powerful examples for others. Urban initiatives such as the Peace in Our Cities network serve as catalysts for these efforts, helping cities learn from one another and share their successes on the global stage. We’ve compiled six inspiring solutions showcasing how tailored interventions and coordinated approaches can create safer urban environments.

🇧🇷 1. Pelotas, Brazil: A balanced approach driven by data

Pelotas adopted a balanced approach, using disaggregated and localized data to guide effective policing strategies with other services. This dual strategy has resulted in notable improvements in community safety and well-being.

🇨🇴 2. Palmira, Colombia: Youth-focused interventions 

Palmira’s “Paz y Oportunidades” (Peace and Opportunities) program focuses on reducing youth and gang violence, offering targeted enforcement and social services. It engages at-risk youth in constructive activities, steering them away from violent behavior and towards job and educational opportunities.

🇺🇲 3. Oakland, USA: Tackling gender-based and gun violence

Oakland stands out for its focused efforts to address gender-based violence through specialized victim support programs. Additionally, its initiatives to reduce gun violence—through community engagement, targeted policing, and support services—have delivered positive outcomes.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 4. Glasgow, Scotland: Centralized violence prevention success

Glasgow’s centralized violence prevention efforts have dramatically reduced homicides. The city’s focus is on addressing root causes while coordinating efforts across agencies and sectors.

🇧🇷 5. Niterói, Brazil: Embracing technology for crime prevention

Niterói implemented a comprehensive strategy combining traditional crime prevention with technological tools. The city’s use of technology, while grounded in basic privacy rights, has enhanced public safety efforts and supported long-term violence reduction.

🇨🇴 6. Medellín, Colombia: Triple nexus transformation

Once synonymous with violence, Medellín achieved remarkable change through a combination of social programs, urban planning, and policing. This holistic strategy has significantly lowered homicide rates, offering a blueprint for other cities.

These examples demonstrate that urban violence can be tackled through tailored, community-focused, and multi-sectoral approaches. The common thread across these initiatives is the importance of centralized, coordinated violence prevention strategies that foster collaboration across sectors and communities. There is a role for law enforcement grounded in human rights principles, but it must be combined with holistic approaches.

Did you know? Founded in 2019 by the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies at the Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at NYU, the Kroc Institute, and the Stanley Center, the initiative Peace in Our Cities (PiOC) unites over 60 cities to reduce urban violence through advocacy, knowledge exchange, and innovative strategies. Its efforts include launching the first-ever global resolution on urban violence, endorsed by over 60 mayors representing 1,500 cities. To learn more about PiOC, visit our dedicated website.

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Curious about how to tackle urban violence globally? Join us on November 14th for a conversation on the impact that cities can have in reducing violence and building peace from the local to the global level. Additionally, our new report offers practical solutions to halve global violence by 2030. Check out our program on Halving Global Violence and join us in the fight to create a more peaceful world!