Urban solutions for
safer cities
for all
Urban solutions for
safer cities for all
We are an international office based in Strasbourg and Paris specialized in urban solutions for safer cities.
CITY CITÉ CIUDAD (3C) was born as a product of PhD research work carried out by Dr Edna Peza-Ramirez at Université Paris Cité.
Our mission: to help urban actors (townships, associations, urban developers, design agencies, etc.) make public spaces safe, humane, and inclusive.
A growing share of citydwellers report feeling unsafe in their daily environments, even where crime is stable or declining. Conventional responses—policing and video surveillance—are costly, often ineffective, and can be counterproductive.
This creates a paradox where feelings of insecurity persist despite improving statistics.
3C addresses this issue through the SHIp methodology: understanding causes, co-designing actions with vulnerable groups, and changing perceptions.
By focusing on lived experience, we develop more effective, inclusive, and sustainable urban safety strategies.
As a team of doctors in our field, we provide policymakers with science-based, human-centered knowledge, and an award-winning innovative methodology that has been applied in European cities, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Our services
We assist local citymakers in implementing a structured approach to assessing perceived insecurity in public spaces.
We assist local governments in developing territorial strategies aimed at improving safety and the quality of use of public spaces by integrating urban planning and inclusion.
We assist project leaders (including in the context of European-funded projects) to integrate issues of inclusivity, citizen participation, and the perception of public spaces from the very beginning of the project design phase.
We offer training programs for local governments, urban planners, and development professionals to integrate safety and inclusivity considerations into urban policies.
Our team
Dr. Edna PEZA-RAMIREZ
Founder
Architect-urbanist, expert in analyzing the link between public spaces, feelings of insecurity, and vulnerable populations
I work with policymakers to develop policies that promote a sense of safety in urban areas. I train future policymakers on issues related to urban insecurity and counter-policies.
Dr. Antonio DAVALOS
Partner
Data scientist, expert in data analysis and interpretation
I provide policymakers with data-driven insights and advice on data collection and analysis. My goal is to help policymakers make decisions informed by quantifiable information.
The SHIp Methodology
What makes us different? We bridge the gap between practical expertise and research for safer cities.
At 3C we developed the SHIp Methodology (Safe, Humane, and Inclusive Public spaces). It challenges current planning practices and gives citymakers tools to address feelings of insecurity through participation and inclusion.
Our publications
Our work has been shared in publications and specialized forums on city making. Here is a selection of these contributions.
- Réflexions Immobilières – Villes européennes: innover pour des espaces publics sûrs
- Oxford Urbanists – Beyond the Three-Act Narrative: Other Urban Lives and COVID 19
- Journal of Public Space – The Impact of the Pandemic to Street Life, Urban Culture and Beyond
- Université de Bordeaux – Perception of insecurity through photography
- Be Secure Feel Secure – Insecurity & the city level: why does it matter?
- Salon des Idées Scientifiques
- Citymakers Film Festival
Our awards
Over the years, CITY CITÉ CIUDAD has received international recognition for innovation and excellence. Below is a list of some of the honors we have received.
- Fondation Palladio 2018 & 2019 – Innovation in research : Award for innovative research on architecture and urbanism
- INSPIRE-MSCA Horizon 2020 – Innovation in research : Award of excellence in doctoral training for international researchers of the Université de Paris
- Prix PEPITE Ile de France 2020 – Social entrepreneurship : Award for outstanding projects of social entrepreneurship in Ile de France
