Description:

Francisco Gallego (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile): "Come Out and Play: Public Space Recovery, Social Capital, and Citizen Security" (Matias Braun, Francisco Gallego, Rodrigo Soares)

Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of renovating deteriorated public squares on economic and social outcomes through a randomized experiment conducted in fragile neighborhoods in Santiago, Chile. Our results show that the renovation led to increased use and maintenance of public spaces, enhanced neighborhood engagement, and a stronger sense of ownership among residents, alongside a reduction in leisure activities outside the neighborhood. Additionally, treated neighborhoods saw improvements in public security perceptions, both within the renovated square and the broader neighborhood. We also find positive effects on trust, particularly among familiar individuals, and greater participation in community organizations. Furthermore, administrative data reveals an increase in property prices and a decrease in crime in the short and medium term. Applying machine learning techniques to assess heterogeneous treatment effects, we do not find support for theories positing a joint determination of security levels and social capital. Instead, our findings suggest that the intervention's effects are better explained by increased neighborhood use, particularly in densely populated areas and those with a higher proportion of social housing.