Urbanization has been rapidly increasing due to the increased number of people moving to cities for economic opportunities, education, and higher living standards.
Urban security is defined as the ability of a city to provide protection to its residents from both conventional threats and non-traditional threats such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, natural disasters, industrial hazards, and health emergencies.
The recent growth of cities has led to increased complexity regarding security, and failure of security or governance in populated cities will create major public safety crises, leading to human casualties, significant economic losses, and the loss of long-term public trust. Urban security must be seen as an ongoing process as opposed to a one-off solution.
Rapid urban growth and a lack of planned infrastructure are two of the biggest threats to urban safety and security. In many developing countries, such as India, increased migration from rural to urban areas has resulted in many instances where informal urbanization has occurred, leading to unplanned and unregulated urban settlements that do not have adequate basic infrastructure, such as roads, street lighting, sewage, sanitation, and emergency medical services. Under these conditions, criminal wrongdoing increases, and emergency response times are delayed when there is an accident or an emergency. Reports by the National Crime Records Bureau indicating that metropolitan areas are associated with increased petty crime and violence further link urban insecurity to economic inequality, rather than simply to the presence or absence of policing.
The urban security environment is further complicated by terrorism and organized crime, where a city, especially its economic assets, represents a potential target for terrorist organizations. The physical infrastructure of public transportation, busy public markets, and government buildings is at increased risk of terrorist attacks. The experiences of cities such as Delhi show that the establishment and implementation of new surveillance technology and the creation of dedicated rapid response teams are essential for maintaining urban safety and security; however, for long-term sustainable urban safety and security, collaboration between city and state agencies, effective coordination, and increased intelligence-sharing at both the city and federal levels are necessary. Many times, security failures occur as a result of systemic weaknesses in urban safety and security preparedness and a lack of inter-agency coordination.
Modern cities face cybersecurity threats in addition to the physical risks associated with urban living. Digital systems are essential to most day-to-day functions in urban environments, such as traffic management, power supply, banking, public health, and public transportation; therefore, a cyber-attack could halt a city's operations without causing physical destruction. As a growing number of incidents of data breaches and ransomware attacks against governmental organizations occur, it is becoming clear that urban security strategies must integrate the principles of cybersecurity into planning processes at the same time that physical security measures are employed to manage urban safety. It is now critical to both implement and secure the physical infrastructure of digital technology in our urban communities, just as we ensure the safety of our roadways and public places.
The way cities are designed also impacts how safe they actually become. Poorly lit roads, crowded public areas, and unregulated building practices increase the potential for crime and accidents. Conversely, as evidenced by the principles of safe urban design, such as open visibility, mixed-use development, and accessible public spaces, cities that adopt these principles naturally act as barriers to criminal activity. Evidence from smart cities indicates that proactive planning is typically much less expensive and more effective than relying on reactive policing strategies.
Urban security is uniquely impacted by natural and man-made disasters. Due to concentrated urban planning with high population density and centralized infrastructure, cities experience greater impacts from natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, but cities are also affected by man-made disasters, such as fires and industrial accidents. Lessons learned from Tokyo regarding disaster preparedness should inform other cities; Tokyo has developed earthquake-resistant buildings, installed early warning systems, and conducted regular public drills. These actions illustrate that preparedness and resilience save far more lives than disaster relief efforts after the fact.
Integrated and proactive strategies are required to address the complex issues associated with urban security. Smart policing, along with technological tools such as camera surveillance systems, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, enables law enforcement to move away from reactive enforcement actions toward preventive and intelligence-driven policing. Yet, the mere existence of technology does not ensure safety. Building trustworthy relationships with residents through community policing is key to creating an environment in which citizens feel comfortable sharing information with authorities.
The foundation of sustainable urban security is citizen involvement. Residents who are knowledgeable and watchful serve as the first line of defense against both physical and cyber threats. Therefore, raising the level of public awareness regarding disaster preparedness and establishing neighborhood watch programs will promote community cooperation and responsibility. However, in addition to learning about disaster preparedness and participating in local community watch programs, citizens should practice responsible online behavior, as individual negligence in cyberspace can potentially put an entire urban system at risk.
An effective urban security governance system can be achieved through collaboration among different governmental structures. Appropriate institutional structures must be established and clearly defined so that municipal authorities, state police organizations, and central agencies understand their roles and duties within a cooperative framework. Adequate financial resources, along with necessary policy alignment, must also be made available, and security policy development must incorporate ongoing assessments of current security policies and procedures.
Going forward, the future of urban security lies within our ability to create smart, resilient, and inclusive urban cities. Smart cities increasingly utilize advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, integrated command center operations, and predictive analytics; however, the ultimate success of these technologies will depend on their ethical application and sufficient transparency in governance processes. The safest cities will not necessarily be defined solely by the number of surveillance cameras deployed; instead, they will be defined by the extent of trust the public holds in institutions and the capability of the infrastructure to withstand any crises that may occur, ultimately being responsive to the needs of residents.
In conclusion, urban security should not be viewed only as a law enforcement issue, but rather as a fundamental component of sustainable urban development. Safe and secure cities lead to sustainable economic and social development and create a sense of well-being within a city. If modern cities combine effective governance, thoughtful urban planning, advanced technology, and an involved citizenry, they will be able to transform today's urban security challenges into opportunities that promote resilience and inclusive economic growth.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Crime in India 2023 report
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cognizable Crimes | 58,24,946 | 62,41,569 | +7.2% |
| Total Crime Rate (per lakh population) | 422.2 | 448.3 | +6.2% |
| IPC Crimes | 35,92,000 | 37,63,102 | +4.8% |
| SLL Crimes | 22,32,946 | 24,78,467 | +11% |
| Cybercrime Cases | 65,893 | 86,420 | +31.2% |
| Crimes Against Women | 4,33,000 | 4,48,000 | +3.5% |
| Crimes Against Children | 1,62,500 | 1,77,335 | +9.2% |
| Motor Vehicle Act Cases | 94,450 | 1,91,828 | +103% |
| Urban Crimes (Metropolitan Cities) | 8,53,000 | 9,44,291 | +10.6% |
Urban Crime in 19 Metropolitan Cities
| Indicator | 2022 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cognizable crimes | 8,53,470 | 9,44,291 | +10.6% |
| IPC Crimes | — | 6,67,351 | — |
| SLL Crimes | — | 2,76,940 | — |
| Theft & related offences | — | 44.8% of urban crimes | — |
| Rash / negligent driving | — | 9.2% (~61,570 cases) | — |
| Obstruction on public ways | — | 8.1% (~53,742 cases) | — |
Source: National Crime Records Bureau, Crime in India 2023