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A Tale of Two Cities: A Comparative Analysis of Quality of Life Initiatives in New York and Bogotá

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  • Katherine Beckett

    (Katherine Beckett is in the Law, Societies and Justice Program and Department of Sociology, University of Washington, Box 353340, Seattle, Washington, 98115, USA, kbeckett@u.washington.edu)

  • Angelina Godoy

    (Angelina Godoy is in the Law, Societies and Justice Program and Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Box 353650, Seattle, Washington, 98115, USA, agodoy@u.washington.edu)

Abstract

In the 1990s, city officials made a concerted effort to enhance security and civility in two large cities long associated with fear and danger: New York City and Bogotá, Colombia. In this article, a comparison is made of how ‘quality of life’ and ‘civility’ were conceptualised and pursued in New York City and Bogotá in the 1990s. The findings suggest that there were some similarities in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of these ideals, and that both cities became markedly safer in the period under investigation. Yet there were also important differences in the quality of life campaigns undertaken in the two settings. Specifically, measures to protect rights, enhance social services and expand the use of public spaces, particularly in poor communities, were a key component of Bogotá’s quality of life campaign. The Bogotá example shows that it is possible to take crime and civility seriously without criminalising minor offences and by coupling security measures with broader initiatives to strengthen democratic inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine Beckett & Angelina Godoy, 2010. "A Tale of Two Cities: A Comparative Analysis of Quality of Life Initiatives in New York and Bogotá," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(2), pages 277-301, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:47:y:2010:i:2:p:277-301
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009353622
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Corman, Hope & Mocan, Naci, 2005. "Carrots, Sticks, and Broken Windows," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 48(1), pages 235-266, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jordán Fuchs, Ricardo & Rehner, Johannes & Samaniego, Joseluis, 2010. "Regional Panorama: Latin America. Megacities and sustainability," Documentos de Proyectos 3856, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    2. Juan Pablo Galvis, 2014. "Remaking Equality: Community Governance and the Politics of Exclusion in Bogota's Public Spaces," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(4), pages 1458-1475, July.

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