The Special Issue proposes 'urban peace' as a way of thinking about policy responses to the dynamics of crime, violence, and exclusion that are associated with illicit economies. This approach builds on the notions of connectedness, proximity and trust between individuals, different segments of society, and divided urban spaces. It stands in contrast to the emphasis on separation, distance, and enmity associated with securitized, zero-tolerance, or counter-terror approaches. The notion of 'urban peace' also emphasises that more pragmatic approaches are necessary to provide leadership on reducing violence and exclusion and on expanding economic opportunities in cities.