Leandro Ramos , Universidad Nacional de Colombia

As with the articles in this issue, this introduction reflects the views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The way in which space determines the appearance, reproduction, or dissemination of violence and participates in the formation of offenders is becoming increasingly clear. Likewise, it has become much easier to determine the way in which property offenders, in particular, tend to use the specific characteristics of space to commit their acts. In addition, studies on public policies and interventions aimed at reducing crime that contemplate the possibility of redeeming spaces usually include additional evidence regarding the relevance of space in understanding the nature of the infringement of the law.