Percepción de seguridad de la infancia en espacios públicos del Cantón Tena, Ecuador

The article addresses the importance of public spaces in strengthening social cohesion, emphasizing the need to consider the perceptions and experiences of children, as well as addressing gender issues in relation to the use and appropriation of public space. The study focuses on the city of Tena, Ecuador, where rural local communities are in close proximity to urban areas, which could be considered as hybrid expansion nuclei. The coexistence of these urbanization characteristics presents significant challenges in terms of development and the quality of public spaces, highlighting the need for deeper research and comprehensive considerations to address these complex urban dynamics. The study was conducted through the implementation of focus groups, consisting of workshops with children aged 7 to 12. The workshops were structured in three phases: preliminary diagnosis, theoretical induction, and final consultation. The results showed that, in general, children in rural environments tend to feel safer in public spaces than in urban environments. Additionally, it was evident that a tactical urbanism intervention is an interesting tool for the majority of children, highlighting the relevance of these interventions to promote active participation of children in shaping more inclusive and sustainable urban environments.