Gender equity in urban design and planning remains largely a myth. Historically, cities have been shaped predominantly by men, with women rarely consulted or given the authority to influence these decisions. It is rather obvious that women and men lead different lives and are exposed to different perspectives and experiences. Therefore, the lack of female representation in these fields raises critical questions: How different would our cities look if they were designed by women? Would urban spaces be more inclusive, safer, or better equipped to meet the diverse needs of all residents?
This issue of cities not fulfilling the needs of half the population makes it a rather popular concept to study and research. It is this pre-existing research that has helped formulate the insights and recommendations proposed in this article. Their research can be divided into three broader themes which are as follows:-
1. Safety and Security
One of the most significant concerns for women, regardless of their geographical location, is safety. Addressing this issue, an organisation in Barcelona took action. Known for its vibrant party scene, the city became the focus of Punt 6, a group that proposed an app enabling women to anonymously track locations of sexual assaults or areas that feel unsafe. The organisation collaborates with the city to develop strategies to eliminate these dangers.
Additionally, women frequently rely on public transportation or walking as their primary modes of travel. In Delhi, India, several organisations are tackling similar safety issues. “Why Loiter” is one such group where women gather after midnight to occupy public spaces, taking naps in parks after dark. Other organisations like “Women Walk at Midnight” and “City Girls Walking” also meet post-midnight, walking through the city’s streets. Their goal is to reclaim public spaces and empower women to feel safe and confident outdoors, even after nightfall. This initiative is particularly significant in Delhi, the capital city of India, which has been labelled the “rape capital.” According to Delhi Police crime statistics, a rape occurs every four hours, highlighting the urgent need for such efforts.
2. Health and Wellbeing
The issue of privacy becomes particularly crucial when discussing public spaces, especially in areas where privacy is essential, such as bathrooms. Public washrooms are vital, yet they pose significant challenges for women today. Studies show that women use public restrooms nearly twice as often as men and typically spend 3 to 4 minutes longer in them. This is partly due to biological factors; women have shorter urethras, requiring more frequent restroom visits, and their menstrual cycles further increase the need for these facilities. Additionally, many women, particularly mothers in Barcelona, report difficulties with public restrooms, such as prams not fitting through the entrances. Women’s restrooms must also be almost three times larger than men’s to accommodate their needs. These are issues that wouldn’t arise if urban spaces were designed with women in mind.
3. Gender-Blind Data Collection in Urban Planning
In a world largely constructed for and by men, built environment practitioners, often unknowingly, ignore half of the population. All too often, the barriers that women, girls, and vulnerable groups face in the built environment persist because their needs go unheard by urban practitioners. For the men, who continue to hold the majority of jobs in built environment professions, these barriers are often invisible because they work using gender-biased data. This challenge stems from decades of design based on men’s experiences. In the 1940s, when male architect Le Corbusier first developed his Modulor system for the scale of architectural proportion, he used a six-foot-tall man as the basis for his measurement scale. This system shaped the entire post-war world and determined everything from the height of a kitchen counter to the size of a phone.
Transportation surveys often overlook women’s travel patterns. Unlike men, who generally prefer cars, women’s travel needs are more complex, yet cars dominate around 60% of public spaces. Urban planning tends to prioritise cars, reinforcing this imbalance. Additionally, many transportation surveys are conducted at times that don’t align with women’s schedules, disregarding the varied responsibilities they manage, such as childcare.
In conclusion, reimagining urban design through a gender-equity lens is essential for creating cities that truly serve all residents. The current focus on safety and security, as seen in initiatives from Barcelona to Delhi, shows the need for urban spaces that empower women and make them feel safe. Addressing health and well-being, such as the design of public restrooms, highlights the importance of considering women’s unique needs. Furthermore, the issue of gender-blind data collection underscores the necessity for a shift in how cities are planned. To create more inclusive urban environments, we must prioritise the diverse experiences and needs of everyone, not just the male majority.
References:
Alavi, M. (2017, July 15), Why is Delhi the rape capital? Police will take expert help to analyse psyche of rapists. Hindustan Times, p.3. Available at: www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/why-is-Delhi-the-rape-capital-police-will-take-expert-help-to-analyse-psyche-of-rapists/story.html [ Accessed 11 August 2024]
What would a city designed by women be like?. (2019).[Video]. Directed by C. Sadeghzadeh. Barcelona: BBC
Sacheti, P. (2023). Why Women Must Loiter: A Collective Shows Us How to Challenge The Indian Night. India Times, p.2. Available at: www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/evolve/why-women-must-loiter-a-collective-shows-us-how-to-challenge-the-Indian-night-614765.html [ Accessed 11 August 2024]
Candiracci, D.S. and Power, K. (2022) Designing cities that work for women. Available at: www.arup.com/-/media/arup/files/publications/c/cities-alive-designing-cities-that-work-for-women.pdf [Accessed: 11 August 2024].
