Abstract

The city's image as space of diversity and as a celebration of difference, is under threat in Santiago. Alternative and dominant images depict the city as conflictive, unruly, disorderly and insecure; where difference became a dangerous element that should be excluded or segregated. In this way a "city without citizens" is being built, a "no-city" in which people does not interact, just move in the space. The main objetive of this article is to analyze this situation by focusing on one of its elements: fear of crime. The result presents many questions that need to be addressed about the city that is being built and the social consequences of this process.