Trends and challenges for urban security are the population growth in cities and the need to provide services and environments that foster healthy and productive human development. If city life is to be healthy and productive, it requires that all city institutions contribute to this goal and thus counter factors that contribute to crime and criminal behavior, particularly juvenile delinquency and violent crime. In attempting to prevent crime, cities should reduce the opportunities for crime, foster economic and social development that promotes normative legal behavior, and develop a culture and citizenship standards that reinforce positive community values and cohesiveness. Government has the responsibility of mobilizing and supporting the work of community institutions that can impact social and economic conditions. Toward this end, the workshop for which this background paper was prepared will discuss city policy and local coordination mechanisms, the role of urban management and planning in crime prevention, community-based services, and innovative practices in police departments and criminal justice systems. Some background information on these topics is provided in this paper. Mechanisms for cooperation in urban crime prevention are also discussed. 14 notes