Urban Planning + Gender Studies: Pioneering Equality in the City

“The city is an organized memory, and in history women are the forgotten.”

– Hannah Arendt

Overview

Introduction
Why The Intersection Is Fertile Ground For Innovation
Challenges & Opportunities For Gender Equality In Urban Planning
Innovation: Gender-responsive Urban Infrastructure
Conclusion
Thought to action
Sources

Introduction

Imagine a city where the walks home at night feel unsafe and the bathrooms are crowded or inaccessible.

Chances are, you don’t have to leave this to your imagination.

As it turns out, men and women experience cities in very different ways, but the planning process hasn’t always caught up to that reality.

This means everything from public parks to bus routes might not work as well for women as they do for men, putting women at a disadvantage not just in terms of convenience but also safety and access.

Ana Falu hit the nail on the head when she said, “It’s not only poverty, but inequality,” during this lecture about how gender shapes our experience of cities.

This insight is a wake-up call for anyone interested in making our cities safer and more inclusive.

Why?

There’s a huge opportunity here for interdisciplinary innovation—combining the insights of gender studies with urban planning to make cities more welcoming for everyone.

By blending these fields, we can start to see the city through a different lens, one that recognizes and meets the diverse needs of all its residents.

As we explore how gender studies and urban planning can come together, we’re taking an exciting step towards making our cities feel like they’re truly designed for everyone.

In fact, this approach has already been applied successfully in cities around the world…

Perini, Enrico. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/road-between-buildings-705423/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Why The Intersection Is Fertile Ground For Innovation

In the quest to tackle gender inequality, the fusion of gender studies with urban planning emerges as a game-changer.

This blend doesn’t just add a new layer to city development; it revolutionizes the way we envision and create spaces, making cities work better for everyone.

The reason?

It directly addresses the often overlooked needs of different classes and genders, filling critical gaps in traditionally male-dominated urban planning.

In fact, the 2021 paper “Building Safer Public Spaces” argues that women are excluded from participating in public spaces as a result of fear.

According to Dr. Pablo Navarrete- Hernandez, a co-author of the paper, “The theory says, and I would agree, that the planning and design of cities is male dominated.”

“So, as a result, there is significant bias over who gets consideration when building the public space… At its core, we (the co-authors) are recognising the need to include larger representation of women on those decisions.”

Yet these challenges aren’t new.

The historical context of urban planning reveals a deep-rooted tradition of overlooking gender-specific needs.

This oversight is largely due to the male-dominated nature of the field, which has shaped urban environments with a one-size-fits-all approach, often failing to consider the diverse experiences of other demographics.

The early urban planners, predominantly men, focused on broad structural and economic issues, largely ignoring the social and personal dimensions of urban living. As a result, the way different groups experience and navigate urban spaces was not considered.

During the post-war period, particularly in the mid-20th century, the modernist movement in urban planning further entrenched the neglect of gender-specific needs.

The emphasis on car-centric development, high-rise residential blocks, and the separation of residential areas from commercial and industrial zones did not take into account the daily routines and safety concerns of women and other marginalized groups.

These urban designs often resulted in environments that restricted mobility, access to services, and social interaction for those without access to a car, disproportionately affecting women who were more likely to be engaged in caregiving roles and dependent on public transportation.

It wasn’t until the feminist movements of the 1960s and 1970s that a significant critique of urban planning from a gender perspective began to emerge.

Now, there is a growing recognition of the need to adopt a more intersectional approach to urban planning that accounts for the varied experiences of gender, race, class, and ability.

By understanding and integrating the diverse experiences of all city dwellers, architects, engineers, and policy makers can craft urban environments that truly cater to everyone.

This isn’t just about making spaces look good; it’s about making them feel right for every individual, enhancing the quality of life and fostering a sense of belonging.

Pixabay. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-view-of-building-against-sky-248913/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Challenges & Opportunities For Gender Equality In Urban Planning

One of the primary challenges in merging gender studies and urban planning is the resistance to change, rooted in the supposed neutrality of urban planning as a discipline.

Traditional urban planning practices have been deeply entrenched, and introducing a gender perspective requires a paradigm shift in thinking and approach.

This resistance can come from institutional inertia, where existing frameworks and policies do not readily accommodate new, inclusive methodologies.

Furthermore, a lack of awareness about the importance of gender inclusivity in urban spaces hampers progress.

Without a clear understanding of how urban environments differently impact genders, planners and policymakers may fail to recognize the need for change.

This challenge is compounded by institutional barriers such as limited funding, policy constraints, and a shortage of gender-focused expertise within the planning profession.

However, overcoming these challenges opens up a wealth of opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and social justice in urban development.

Inclusive Design: Incorporating gender studies into urban planning leads to more inclusive designs that consider the diverse needs and experiences of all city dwellers. This approach fosters empathy and understanding, creating spaces that support the well-being of every individual, regardless of gender.

Safety and Accessibility: Addressing the need for safer and more accessible urban spaces can lead to innovative design and policy solutions. This includes enhancing public transportation systems to be more gender-sensitive and ensuring public spaces are secure and welcoming for all.

Public Services and Amenities: Reimagining the distribution of public amenities to be more accessible and equitable can significantly improve urban living. This shift toward inclusivity ensures that facilities like restrooms, parks, and childcare are designed with the diverse needs of the community in mind.

Community Engagement: Engaging with communities through a gender-focused lens allows urban planners to gain a deeper understanding of varied needs. This engagement is critical for crafting solutions that resonate with the community, ensuring urban developments are reflective of its diversity.

For those at the start of their careers in fields that shape our urban environments, recognizing and addressing the challenges of integrating gender studies into urban planning is not just a matter of equity; It’s an opportunity to lead in creating innovative, sustainable, and just cities that truly cater to the needs of all their inhabitants.

Dorobantu, Adrian. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-photography-of-brown-building-2379980/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Innovation: Gender-Responsive Urban Infrastructure

Barcelona stands as a pioneering city in the realm of gender-inclusive urban planning, showcasing innovative practices that could inspire young professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers dedicated to making a significant impact on global challenges, including those outlined by the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This city’s approach to urban planning demonstrates how thoughtful design and policy can create more inclusive, safe, and equitable urban environments for all genders.

One key area improvement has been the redesign of public restrooms to accommodate the needs of women better, acknowledging research findings that women spend, on average, three times as long as men in restrooms.

Factors such as the need for more space due to stroller access and going to the restroom with children, all increase usage time and suggest that women’s restrooms should be significantly larger than men’s.

Safety at night is another profound difference in urban experience between genders.

The story of Conchi Braojos, a nightshift worker, highlights the challenge women face when public transportation schedules do not align with their needs, forcing them to walk home late at night and exposing them to potential dangers.

In fact, the dangers of nighttime transportation not only affect night shift workers, but also those who are out at clubs, festivals, or restaurants.

In response to this, Barcelona’s initiatives, such as the “No Means No” project, aim to combat sexual harassment and enhance safety for women and young people out at night.

Moreover, Barcelona is making strides in making women feel seen and represented in the urban landscape.

A study across seven major cities revealed that only 27.5% of street names are named after women.

In response, Barcelona’s government has made a concerted effort to name streets after women, with a target to push this figure to 60%, ensuring women’s contributions and presence are visibly acknowledged in the city’s geography.

The city has also introduced the “superblock” concept, transforming urban spaces to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and community activities over car traffic.

These superblocks, formed by closing off nine-block sections to through traffic, are redesigned with parks, picnic areas, benches, play areas, and more, creating safer, more accessible, and enjoyable spaces for everyone, especially those navigating with strollers or seeking safe public spaces.

Barcelona’s gender-inclusive urban planning initiatives illustrate the immense potential for innovation when gender studies principles are integrated into urban infrastructure projects.

These efforts not only make the city safer and more accessible for women and gender minorities but also contribute to a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban environment for all citizens.

Wehrli, Nick. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-city-buildings-5282585/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Conclusion

Interdisciplinary innovation is not merely an academic exercise; it is a necessary evolution in how we conceive, design, and inhabit our cities.

By acknowledging the diverse needs and experiences of all city dwellers, urban planning can transcend traditional boundaries, fostering environments that support the well-being and empowerment of every individual.

The call to action is clear: urban planners, policymakers, and the broader community must collectively embrace the integration of gender studies into urban planning.

This commitment involves not only recognizing the unique challenges faced by women and gender minorities in urban settings, but also actively seeking solutions that address these issues.

It is about creating spaces that are safe, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all residents, thereby enriching the urban experience for everyone.

As such, the potential for transformative change in cities worldwide is immense.

By championing gender-sensitive approaches in urban development, we pave the way for a future where every city is built with the needs of all its inhabitants in mind, heralding a new era of urban innovation and social justice.

Thought to Action

Support Gender-Focused NGOs: Volunteer, donate, or participate in programs run by NGOs that focus on gender equality in urban spaces.
Advocate for Gender-Inclusive Policies: Lobby your local government representatives to incorporate gender perspectives into urban planning and policy-making.
Participate in Public Forums: Attend city council meetings, public hearings, and forums to voice the need for gender-inclusive urban planning.
Contribute to Community Planning: Get involved in local community planning initiatives and advocate for gender-inclusive spaces.
Create Inclusive Community Spaces: If you’re part of a community organization, strive to make community spaces welcoming and accessible to all genders.

Sources

Dorina Pojani, et al. “Sexism and the City: How Urban Planning Has Failed Women.” The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2018, theconversation.com/sexism-and-the-city-how-urban-planning-has-failed-women-93854. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Dorobantu, Adrian. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-photography-of-brown-building-2379980/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Horacio Cristian Terraza, et al. Handbook for Gender-Inclusive Urban Planning and Design. World Bank, Washington, DC EBooks, 21 Jan. 2020, openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/63c07ff8-cd1e-52c0-9441-005b9aa22bcf. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

“How Can Urban Planners Build More Inclusive Cities for Women? | LSE Research.” Lse.ac.uk, LSE Research for the World, 9 Nov. 2023, www.lse.ac.uk/research/research-for-the-world/society/unsafe-in-the-city-how-urban-planners-can-build-more-inclusive-cities-for-women. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Navarrete-Hernandez, Pablo, et al. “Building Safer Public Spaces: Exploring Gender Difference in the Perception of Safety in Public Space through Urban Design Interventions.” Landscape and Urban Planning, vol. 214, 1 Oct. 2021, pp. 104180–104180, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169204621001432?via%3Dihub, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104180. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

News, BBC. “How to Build a City for Women – BBC News.” YouTube, 25 July 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdSSg9SZYAY&list=TLPQMDgwMjIwMjRzOI4qiLX6pA&index=3. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Perini, Enrico. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/road-between-buildings-705423/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Pixabay. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-view-of-building-against-sky-248913/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Rustin, Susanna. “If Women Built Cities, What Would Our Urban Landscape Look Like?” The Guardian, The Guardian, 5 Dec. 2014, www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/dec/05/if-women-built-cities-what-would-our-urban-landscape-look-like. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Sara Ibanez O’Donnell. “Feminist Urbanisms in Barcelona. Rethinking Public Space and the Right to the City through a Gender Lens.” ResearchGate, unknown, Oct. 2019, www.researchgate.net/publication/339003976_Feminist_Urbanisms_in_Barcelona_Rethinking_public_space_and_the_right_to_the_city_through_a_gender_lens. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

Sneha Visakha. “Feminist Urbanism: Smashing Patriarchy in Design – Urbanet.” Urbanet, 8 Mar. 2023, www.urbanet.info/feminist-urbanism-smashing-patriarchy-in-urban-design/. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.

UN-HABITAT WORLDWIDE. “S03E03 Ana Falu – Gender Perspectives in Urban Planning.” YouTube, 12 Feb. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sop4fqc2NV8. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.