The Problematization of Urban Insecurity and Video Surveillance as a Solution in Budapest (Hungary) and Milan (Italy)

This study is devoted to the investigation of urban insecurity and the implementation of video surveillance in public spaces. It aims at contributing to the current body of knowledge by conducting a problematisation analysis of urban insecurity, grounding it in the local context. Given the logic of the problematisation analysis, video surveillance is analysed as a solution. Focusing on Budapest and Milan, two contrasting cases within Europe regarding their socio-economic situation, the research draws on two theoretical approaches: surveillance society and security state, based on Foucault’s ideas. The research applies a mixed-methods approach to the study, utilising desk-based research, semi-structured interviews, and multilevel modelling. The desk-based research facilitates the profound exploration of the local contexts and the analysis of the discourses on urban insecurity in the relative legislation. Semi-structured interviews are used for acquiring knowledge on the ways of construction of urban insecurity and video surveillance by the experts and representatives of NGOs directly involved in dealing with the problem of urban insecurity in the studied contexts. Lastly, the multilevel analysis facilitates understanding the impact of the presence of video surveillance cameras on the perception of insecurity in Hungary and Italy. The research findings suggest that urban insecurity is a complex social phenomenon deeply grounded in objectively existing and constructed phenomena. Therefore, video surveillance might be a partial solution, implemented along with other situational and social interventions and in compliance with several conditions. The findings propose policy recommendations that include a suggestion to invest in obtaining high-quality and reliable data on the roots of urban insecurity in the city to fill in the gaps in knowledge and policies. Another significant proposal is to open a communication channel with the local inhabitants.