City Infrastructure Improvement Vital for Reducing Urban Violence

Municipal policymakers in various countries should take basic city infrastructure improvement as part of their solutions to curb urban violence, said a World Bank report released on Wednesday.

For millions of people around the world, violence or the fear of violence is a constant reality, noted Inger Andersen, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development.

Inadequate infrastructure means there is often no safe space to conduct community meetings. Narrow alley-ways or lack of street lighting can create opportunities for violent assaults. Limited infrastructure and services add to daily frustrations that can escalate violence and create vulnerabilities as residents try to meet basic needs such as fetching water or visiting public toilets, according to the report.

The study holds that simple upgrades to basic urban infrastructure such as better street lighting, functioning parks and other public spaces could help reduce and curb urban violence.

"Urban violence is a serious impediment to development and poverty reduction. This report shows that simple actions can play a crucial role in reducing violence in cities, and that community development should be seen as a central element of any intervention targeting urban violence," Andersen added.

The report also suggested a combination of violence prevention approaches including increasing transportation and mobility options available for urban populations and improving data collection to provide police and communities with accurate information on violent incidents.