An article by Ronika Postaria
Introduction
Creating inclusive and accommodating cities that work for everyone requires recognising and addressing the unique experiences of women and marginalised groups in urban environments. Unfortunately, traditional urban planning has mostly taken a male-centric perspective, resulting in policies and designs that fail to prioritise the needs and concerns of other genders. This effectively excludes their voices from decision-making and perpetuates imbalanced urban landscapes that hinder progress and enhance inequality. Individual experiences are impacted by a range of factors, including transportation, healthcare, economic opportunities, and safety in public spaces, which intersect with broader concerns. For cities to be truly accommodating, we must identify and address gender disparities, which requires going beyond superficial solutions like well-lit streets and micro-level standalone initiatives. We must focus on devising a change in the governance structure of our cities for a more equitable urban environment.
The Systemic Challenge: Gender Disparities and Power Dynamics
The governance of cities plays a crucial role in shaping the citizens’ lifestyles and well-being as well as the cities’ future pathways. Thus, the decision-making bodies must be diverse and representative to ensure that urban policies consider gender and intersectionality. Urban policies can become biased without diverse perspectives, resulting in the needs of marginalised and intersectional individuals being ignored. Therefore, advocating for diverse representation in urban governance is critical to promoting inclusivity from the top down.
Studies show that involving women in urban planning results in more sustainable and inclusive cities. Similarly, engaging marginalised groups can ensure their specific requirements are met, leading to a more fair distribution of resources and opportunities. One way to accomplish this is by encouraging residents to participate actively in the planning process, promoting a collaborative approach that addresses their specific needs and objectives. Such an approach ensures that urban planning accurately represents the voices and aspirations of the communities it serves, establishing a fair and impartial urban landscape.
It is also crucial to recognise that effective governance and policy-making processes determine resource allocation and set power structures impacting gender neutrality in cities. Existing literature highlights the significant influence of power dynamics in shaping urban environments, and the prioritisation of gender equality demands a paradigm shift in decision-making. Cities can foster more equitable communities by incorporating a diverse range of voices in policy-making, including those historically marginalised.
Utilising Local Initiatives:
Two factors are crucial to making a positive impact at the local level. First, inclusive community engagement is essential for bridging the gap between policymakers and the communities they serve. Gender-responsive master planning should be prioritised to design cities thoughtfully that reflect the experiences of all urban residents. When all individuals, particularly those from marginalised groups, participate in the planning process, it encourages dialogue and collaborative solutions, empowering residents with a sense of ownership. Supporting and amplifying these community-led efforts is crucial, as they are significant drivers of change from the ground up.
Second, gender-focused urban initiatives are vital in ensuring that the specific needs of women and other marginalised groups are not only addressed and integrated into city life. Research shows that grassroots initiatives led by local communities can address gender-related urban issues more effectively than externally-led ones. This is because they are more likely to incorporate cultural, social, and economic factors unique to the community. Developing and promoting such initiatives recognises the value of individual experiences and works towards building inclusive, safe, and welcoming urban environments for all genders.
The Need for a Paradigm Shift: Beyond Binary Gender Norms
Gender norms have traditionally been viewed through a binary lens, where individuals are categorised as either male or female. However, this perspective fails to acknowledge the diverse experiences of urban populations. Studies have shown that women and other marginalised groups often face unique challenges when accessing and using public spaces, which conventional design approaches often overlook. To overcome these challenges, cities worldwide are exploring innovative techniques to include gender-inclusive planning and design. This involves not only removing physical barriers to access but also understanding the social and cultural factors that influence how individuals interact with public spaces. Many cities are experimenting with new ways of public engagement to include diverse communities in the planning process, while others are developing fresh methods to measure the gender-inclusiveness of public spaces. Research also shows that urban environments tend to reinforce traditional gender norms and can be unwelcoming to those who identify as non-binary. For example, public restrooms are typically designed with only male and female options, which can make non-binary individuals feel uncomfortable or even unsafe.
Further, building inclusive cities requires prioritising gender-responsive budgeting, along with several other key strategies. Affordable and accessible childcare services are necessary to enable parents, particularly women, to engage fully in work and community activities. Safe and affordable housing must also be available to people of all genders to ensure equal access and stability. Additionally, it is crucial to recognise and address the unique needs and challenges experienced by marginalised genders, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. This requires implementing policies that support gender-affirming healthcare, anti-discrimination measures, and the creation of safe spaces for these populations.
Recently, there has been a movement towards gender-neutral city planning, which aims to recognise and cater to all individuals' diverse needs and experiences, regardless of their gender identity. This includes designing public restrooms that are welcoming and inclusive of all genders, creating safe and accessible public spaces for everyone, and prioritising sustainable transportation options that cater to the needs of all users, including women and non-binary individuals. Gender-inclusive transportation planning involves addressing the specific mobility needs of women and other marginalised groups and ensuring that all transportation networks are safe, efficient, and accessible to all. It includes enhancing street lighting, addressing issues of harassment and violence on public transit, and developing alternative transportation that is more inclusive and sustainable.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Inclusive Urban Planning
It is of utmost importance to develop cities designed for all genders, going beyond the conventional male-dominated standards. By considering all genders' requirements, cities can help reduce gender-based violence, increase accessibility, and improve public space availability. For instance, well-lit streets, gender-neutral public restrooms, and safe modes of transportation can have a significant impact on the lives of women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and persons with disabilities. Therefore, it is imperative to adopt a human-centric perspective on urban planning that empowers marginalised groups to reclaim their right to the city.
In summary, an intersectional approach is essential to build communities that promote justice and inclusivity. This approach values diverse perspectives, equitable resource allocation, and targeted interventions. It is imperative to prioritise inclusivity in urban planning to create genuine sanctuaries celebrating diversity and interconnected human experiences.