The advancement of gender equality in South Asia requires an understanding that urban planning is more than just structural and spatial design; it is a powerful tool influencing access, inclusion, and opportunity. As urbanization accelerates across South Asia, cities increasingly face challenges of overcrowded living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities, which disproportionately impact women and marginalized groups. Rapid urban migration, economic shifts, and the effects of climate change have led to conditions where the “urban advantage” no longer applies to many, with large populations living in poverty and without access to essential services but by the (poor) urban women, who often face limited access to safe public spaces, economic opportunities, and political representation.
Understanding Gender-Responsive Urban Planning in South Asia
Gender-responsive urban planning addresses the needs and experiences of all genders, ensuring that urban environments provide equal access to opportunities, resources, and safety. It is especially crucial in South Asia, where socio-economic inequalities, rapid urbanization, and entrenched gender disparities have left women and marginalized groups vulnerable. According to a report on “Gender and Urban Poverty in South Asia” by the Asian Development Bank, while urbanization globally reached about half the population by 2010, Asia trailed with a rate of 42.5%, and South Asia was even lower at 32.2%. Nevertheless, the speed is high as the urban population in South Asia is expected to increase from 549 million in 2010 to around 875 million by 2030 and 1.3 billion by 2050. As a result, the fastest-growing cities like Delhi, Dhaka, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kathmandu, etc., face challenges related to overcrowded housing, insufficient sanitation facilities, and unsafe public spaces, which immensely affect women.
The report from Southern Voice, “Localizing the Gender Equality Goal Through Urban Planning Tools in South Asia,” explores how gender-responsive urban planning can drive change across cities in South Asia, focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality and SDG 11 on inclusive, safe cities. This article delves into the report’s insights, examining key strategies for implementing urban planning that respect and amplify women’s needs and rights in urban spaces. By integrating gender perspectives into planning, cities can address these inequalities and create spaces where women feel safe and empowered to participate fully in urban life.
Key Challenges to Gender Equality in Urban Settings
The barriers to gender equity in South Asian cities are complex and deeply entrenched in cultural mores, economic disparities, and infrastructural deficits. Some of the key challenges and issues in these cities are turned out to be:
Limited Access to Resources and Services:
The potential for women to benefit from basic services without risk is significantly diminished in the presence of such gendered concerns as a lack of basic facilities like water and sanitation, or the absence of safe public transport, requiring women and girls to travel long distances and exposing them to risks of violence.
Safety Issues in Public Spaces:
Some South Asian cities have poorly designed public spaces that fail to consider women’s safety. Harassment of women is rampant, which greatly hampers their movement and active participation in society. The situation is fueled by unsafe means of transport and narrow unlit streets.
Lack of Participation in the Urban Development Processes:
It is common for women’s voices to be excluded from urban planning, policy-making, and even implementation. Where a political quota is provided for women in such systems, there is still very low political participation. Despite policies like India’s political reservation for women in local governance, participation in urban decision-making remains limited, slowing the implementation of gender-sensitive policies and infrastructure that could improve safety and access for women and marginalized groups.
The Impact of Gender-Responsive Urban Planning in South Asia
Improved Safety and Security for Women and Marginalized Groups
Gender-responsive urban planning prioritizes well-lit streets, accessible public transport, and secure public spaces. These design elements reduce harassment risks and improve mobility for women and marginalized communities.
For Example, In New Delhi, India, the Safe City Project installed improved lighting, CCTV cameras, and mobile distress devices across high-risk areas. This initiative has led to a 25% reduction in crimes against women in some places, making the city safer and more accessible.
Enhanced Economic Participation and Empowerment
Women often take on caregiving responsibilities, which means they need access to transportation, healthcare, and amenities within reasonable distances. Gender-responsive planning can make cities more livable for women, enhancing their participation in the workforce.
For example, In Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System introduced women-only buses to facilitate safer and more comfortable commutes. This has improved women’s accessibility to jobs and educational institutions, empowering them economically and promoting gender equality in public spaces.
Better Accessibility and Inclusivity in Public Spaces
Urban areas designed with gender-responsiveness ensure that facilities like childcare centers, public restrooms, and healthcare services are accessible, addressing daily needs effectively. This approach benefits not only women but also other groups such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
For example, the “Turning Spaces into Places” initiative in Mumbai, led by the NGO Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA), focuses on transforming neglected spaces into inclusive, accessible public places for all community members. This project exemplifies gender-responsive urban planning by creating environments prioritizing safety, accessibility, and inclusivity, especially for women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Resilience to Climate Change
Gender-responsive planning in South Asia can also help communities adapt to climate change by considering diverse opinions on resource use and sustainability. Women are often on the front lines of managing resources like water and energy, and their insights can lead to better disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
For example, In Nepal, the “Cities 4 Women” program was launched, and led by UN-Habitat Nepal, in collaboration with UNOPS and Cities Alliance. In this initiative, women actively participate in the urban planning and design process. They are also trained by different organizations on different sustainable construction practices, allowing them to lead their communities in building resilience against environmental challenges.
Moving Towards Inclusive Cities in South Asia
By addressing the diverse needs of all genders, gender-responsive urban planning can lead to safer, more equitable, and sustainable urban environments across South Asia. The multiple approaches, combining policy reforms, community engagement, capacity building, and global support, are essential to ensure gender equality in urban planning. By fostering inclusivity and prioritizing the unique needs of women, urban planning can pave the way for sustainable and inclusive cities where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive.
References:
Southern Voice – Southern Perspectives. Global Debates. (2019). Localizing the gender equality goal through urban planning tools in South Asia – Southern Voice. [online]. Available at: http://southernvoice.org/localising-the-gender-equality-goal-through-urban-planning-tools-in-south-asia/ [Accessed 01 November 2024].
ADB. (2013). Gender and Urban Poverty in South Asia. [online]. Available at: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/30099/gender-urban-poverty-south-asia.pdf [Accessed 02 November 2024].
UN-Habitat. (2012). Gender Responsive Urban Planning and Design. [online]. Available at: https://unhabitat.org/gender-responsive-urban-planning-and-design [Accessed 01 November 2024].
ADB. (2013). Gender-Inclusive Approaches in Urban Development. [online]. Available at: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/34136/files/tip-sheet-gender-inclusive-urban-development.pdf [Accessed 02 November 2024].
ACT Government. (2023). Gender-Sensitive Urban Design Framework. [online]. Available at: https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/2258081/GSUD_Design-Framework-access.pdf [Accessed 01 November 2024].
The Times of India. (2024). Noida to study Delhi model for Safe City and intelligent policing: Noida News – Times of India. [online]. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/noida-to-study-delhi-model-for-safe-city-and-intelligent-policing/articleshow/112636894.cms [Accessed 11 November 2024].
Bangladesh Institute of Planners. (2010). Bus Service for ‘Women Only’ in Dhaka City: An Investigation. [online]. Available at: https://www.bip.org.bd/admin/uploads/bip-publication/publication-3/paper/20130722133425.pdf [Accessed 11 November 2024].
The City at Eye Level. (2021). Turning spaces into places in Mumbai. [online]. Available https://thecityateyelevel.com/stories/turning-spaces-into-places-in-mumbai [Accessed 11 November 2024].
UN-Habitat. (2023). Cities 4 Women. [online]. Available https://unhabitat.org.np/project_detail/cities-4-women [Accessed 02 November 2024].
