Arequipa's Locked Parks: A Crisis of Public Space Privatization

In Arequipa, Peru, a silent urban crisis has normalized the de facto privatization of public parks. Many parks are locked and accessible only through a key held by a neighborhood representative, turning communal spaces into gated enclaves. This practice violates Peru's Law No. 31199 on Management and Protection of Public Spaces, which mandates that public spaces are inalienable, unseizable, and imprescriptible, guaranteeing universal access. The author, Fredy Roberto Vizcarra Castillo, argues that local authorities have abdicated their responsibility by handing over keys to neighborhood boards under the pretext of security. This trend is not isolated to Arequipa but reflects a broader crisis across Peru and Latin America, where fear of crime has led to the fencing of parks, streets, and entire neighborhoods, fragmenting the social fabric. The article cites urbanist Jane Jacobs, who argued that park safety comes from 'eyes on the street'—constant use and circulation—not from fences. The author calls on the Colegio de Arquitectos de Arequipa and civil society to demand a paradigm shift: open all parks, remove fences, and ensure security through proper lighting and municipal oversight. The piece concludes that reclaiming parks is essential for urban democracy and citizen dignity.