El espacio público como bien común. Seguridad y convivencia ciudadana

Abstract

Public space constitutes the scope for the general use and enjoyment of all people, in the exercise of their rights and freedoms. However, the traditional regulation has been oriented to conceive it from essentially productive coordinates, a situation that has led to the exclusion of poverty, its criminalization and stigmatization. In this sense, zero tolerance policies should be framed, the result of the theoretical framework promoted under the metaphor of "broken windows", as the basis for the repression of low-intensity offenses, as well as the legal framework of citizen coexistence ordinances. This paper defends the need to configure public space within the framework of a city of care, building public policies that allow the recovery of the city for all citizens. In this sense, the configuration of public space becomes relevant, not only from the idea of public property or ownership that the public domain entails, but also from its conception as a common good that allows the participation of citizens in its management. The assumption of responsibilities of the citizenry, shared with the Administration, can constitute an instrument for the public space to constitute a safe and respectful environment for the exercise of rights and freedoms. It is proposed to provide concrete content to the right to public space as a manifestation of the right to the city, which allows giving tools to citizens to guarantee its functionality. Correlatively, the idea of responsibility also entails the assumption of duties by the citizenry that should be incorporated into local legislation. Likewise, the role that local ordinances can carry out to guarantee this right to public space is examined. Finally, it alludes to the experience that is being implemented in the municipalities of civic officers as means that can contribute to the realization of this right to public space.