Compaz Recife: A Brazilian Model of Social Intervention Inspired by Colombian Experiences

In times of accelerated urbanization and growing challenges in the field of public security, the role of projects that promote a culture of peace and social inclusion is gaining relevance in several cities around the world. In Recife, the Community Peace Center (Compaz) is emerging as a promising model, inspired by the park libraries and Happiness Centers of Colombia, especially the models of Medellín and Bogotá. This text explores how the Compaz experience adapts these interventions to the urban reality of Recife, offering a path for the creation of a citizen urbanism and the implementation of a culture of peace that has a direct impact on public security and social development.

Context of Urban Violence and Social Exclusion in Recife

The city of Recife, with a high rate of urban violence and social inequality, found itself facing an urgent need for intervention. This context has driven the public administration to seek innovative solutions, going beyond conventional approaches based solely on policing and repression. The creation of Compaz in 2016 was a response to the problem of crime, with the aim of promoting a cultural transformation that strengthens community ties and reduces violence. The inspiration came from Colombia, where integrative public policies, such as the library-parks in Medellín and the Happiness Centers in Bogotá, were implemented in marginalized areas with great social impact.

The Concept of Compaz and Learning from Colombia

The central proposal of Compaz is to promote peaceful coexistence and reduce urban violence, based on the idea of "citizen urbanism". As in Colombia, the strategy is to create public spaces for coexistence, education and leisure that break with social isolation and offer opportunities for the full exercise of citizenship. The Colombian experience, led by figures such as Jorge Melguizo, former Secretary of Culture and Planning of Medellín, has shown that well-planned spaces that offer cultural, educational and sports activities have the power to reduce violence by providing an inclusive and safe environment for the population.

In the 1990s, Medellín faced alarming crime rates, mainly due to drug trafficking. The library-parks and other urban facilities located in the most vulnerable neighborhoods have shown that coexistence can, in fact, combat violence. This learning motivated Recife to adapt the Colombian model to its own reality, creating Compaz with a comprehensive infrastructure that includes everything from cultural and educational activities to conflict mediation and social assistance services.

Compaz Structure and Activities: From Theory to Practice

Compaz offers a variety of services and activities, being more than just a place to socialize; it acts as a catalyst for human and social development. In the two initial units — Governador Eduardo Campos, in Alto Santa Terezinha, and Escritor Ariano Suassuna, in Cordeiro — the offerings range from sports, with an emphasis on martial arts and swimming, to psychosocial services and income generation workshops.

Each Compaz unit was designed with the active involvement of the community, respecting local specificities. At the beginning of the project, the population was consulted about their priorities and demands, which ensured that the services offered reflected the real needs of the neighborhood. The activities offered range from language courses, integrative practices such as yoga and biodance, specialized services for women in situations of violence, and even public services, such as Procon and reference centers for social assistance.

This diversity of activities aims to cater to all age groups and create an environment where learning, sports and peaceful coexistence are promoted on a daily basis. The library, for example, plays a central role, as in Colombian park libraries, as a space for knowledge and encounters, equipped with study rooms, internet access and regular cultural activities.

Results and Impacts on Local Communities

Since its creation, Compaz has shown promising results in terms of reducing violence in the areas it serves. In neighborhoods close to Compaz units, such as Alto Santa Terezinha and Cordeiro, homicide rates have fallen significantly, while the city of Recife as a whole has still experienced an increase in violence rates. This impact can be attributed to the strengthening of community ties and the increased presence of the State in regions that have historically been neglected.

These centers also foster a sense of belonging and self-esteem among local residents. By promoting recreational and cultural activities, Compaz offers a positive alternative for using time, distancing young people from crime and integrating them into personal and social development activities. Furthermore, the fact that Compaz has local staff in support positions strengthens the community’s identity with the space, making it a true reference point for citizenship.

The Culture of Peace and the Importance of Citizen Urbanism

Inspired by the Colombian approach, Compaz adopts the concept of a “culture of peace,” emphasizing coexistence, respect, and inclusion as fundamental values for reducing violence. This model represents a “citizen urbanism,” where public space is designed not only as physical infrastructure, but as a place for coexistence and cultural exchange. In Medellín, this approach led to the creation of the Articulated Life Units (UVAs), where cultural, sports, and recreational practices were integrated into the urban environment. Colombia’s experience has shown that by transforming “spaces” into “places” — that is, spaces with meaning and purpose — it is possible to create a network of social support and violence prevention.

Compaz’s structure follows this logic, prioritizing human development and building a collective mindset focused on social well-being. The idea of “pacifying through coexistence” is at the heart of the proposal, challenging traditional public security practices based on repression and ostensive policing.

Challenges and Possibilities for the Future

Although Compaz has been successful in many of its initial goals, the project still faces challenges in terms of its expansion and continuity on a large scale. In 2018, the Federal Government announced investments for the construction of three more units, an important expansion, but one that must be accompanied by ongoing reflection on the needs of local communities and constant adaptation of the activities offered.

Another challenge is the creation of long-term public policies that guarantee the sustainability of these centers, both in terms of finance and social engagement. Community engagement is a crucial factor for the success of Compaz and must be maintained as a priority in all new units.

Lessons from Compaz for Other Brazilian Cities

The success of Compaz in Recife offers a series of lessons for other Brazilian cities interested in adopting practices of social urbanism and the promotion of a culture of peace. First, it is clear that integrative projects that combine leisure, culture, education and social assistance are more effective in promoting public safety and quality of life than security policies based exclusively on policing. Furthermore, the Compaz model highlights the importance of urban planning focused on local needs, with the active participation of the population in the process of designing and implementing the services offered.

Finally, Compaz is an example that a culture of peace can be promoted and rooted in Brazilian cities through public policies that favor universal access to spaces for coexistence and personal development. By adopting a holistic and participatory approach, Compaz demonstrates that it is possible to create safer, more inclusive and connected urban environments, where coexistence, rather than conflict, becomes the predominant way of life.