Women’s Stories of/in Athens, Greece: Reflections for Future Cities

In a continuously urbanizing world, developing cities that support a good and full life for women—an issue with implications for families and communities at large—should be a concern in the planning of human settlements. This is particularly important for the transition to sustainable cities, which is a priority in most contemporary societies. This study focuses on women’s everyday lives in Athens, Greece, particularly the suburb of Nea Smyrni. It builds on the stories of five women shared through in-depth interviews that were conducted between spring 2023 and winter 2024. These stories have been selected because they represent women of diverse backgrounds, work conditions, and age groups, and because they shed light on the interrelation of gender with various aspects of the city: the household, public and green spaces, and mobility. This study demonstrates that contemporary cities continue to be unwelcoming for women. Women’s main concerns include inadequate sidewalks and public transport, neither of which cater to “mobilities of care,” standards of safety in public spaces, or accessibility of buildings. The findings of this study indicate that to achieve the desired transition to sustainable, enjoyable, and healthy cities for women (and all people), cities must prioritize walkable infrastructure, public spaces, and vibrant communities. At the same time, the desired density and size of cities and car independence should be revisited.