The Role of Small Green Initiatives and Socio-spatial Dynamics in Crime Prevention in Lower-income Neighborhoods: A Case Study in Medellin.

This study investigates how small-scale green interventions influence neighborhood safety and well-being in Eduardo Santos, a low-income neighborhood in Comuna 13, Medellín, Colombia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research finds that individually maintained gardens and green spaces foster community conviviality, emotional attachment to nature, and social cohesion, which collectively enhance residents' perceptions of safety and contribute to crime prevention. The neighborhood's linear spatial layout, natural boundaries, and biodiverse green infrastructure support natural surveillance and territorial control, aligning with elements of Defensible Space and Busy Streets theories. The study emphasizes that these physical interventions are effective when combined with strong community organization, leadership, and external partnerships, suggesting that community-centric green initiatives can be integral to urban crime reduction strategies in similar socio-economic contexts.