Urban form and urban security : insights from a Southern Italian neighbourhood

Contemporary cities are affected by several challenges. Rapid urbanisation processes combined with unstable economic conditions, uncontrolled physical development and social exclusion, political instability make difficult the understanding of “security and safety” dynamics, often interconnected with a combination of factors. A mix of social, economic and physical decay often contribute to create appealing conditions for criminal activities. This paper discusses how urban safety and security dynamics are related with urban planning and its implementation, by drawing insights from an urban area belonging to a Southern Italian city, Reggio Calabria. More in general, it will be emphasized the relationships between urban planning and related implementation and urban security in bligthed neighbourhoods. Evidences from the case study show that the status of decay of the urban environment, often consequence of implementation gaps inurban policies and lack of management capabilities, contribute to enhance the isolation from the rest of the city. The researchers conclude that integrated urban regeneration initiatives, aimed by nature at improving both people and places, might improve urban safety conditions in thiskind of neighborhoods.The case study has been developed within a wider research project granted under the 7th European Research Framework