Equal access in urban spaces: Gendered perspectives and actions for greater equity

In this article, I explore how urban design perpetuates gender inequity through neglecting the specific ways women experience the built environment. The women-specific dimensions are women’s disproportionate role as caregivers, their heightened perceptions of safety and exposure to harassment, and the persistence of a default-male approach in planning and design. These factors restrict women’s mobility, access to education and employment, and sense of belonging in public spaces. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature, case studies, and existing gender mainstreaming frameworks, I translate theory into practical actions for built environment professionals which covers participatory design processes, gender-sensitive planning interventions across transport and public space and increasing workforce diversity within the sector. Ultimately, I argue that gender equity as a systemic design responsibility and that professionals must actively apply existing tools and knowledge to create inclusive, safe, and accessible urban environments for all. Natasha Watson, an engineering practitioner, synthesises how caregiving, safety, and male-centred design shape the navigation of and access to our urban environments for women and girls. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature, case studies, and existing gender mainstreaming frameworks, she explored what can be done to make cities more equitable for all.