Women In The City
“And for me to have a comfortable journey across my city I need safe zones and management in public transport services, and I need space to walk alone or with my kids, especially the one who is in the pram.” Peacemakers Pakistani challenge us to look at our cities and ask if they’re comfortable for all citizens. Do we really succeed in creating safe and inclusive places for everybody?
Photo: Amjad Quereshi/Unsplash
“The vision ‘women in the city’ is beautiful. It depicts culture, harmony, open mindedness and freedom; when they are fearless and happy”, says Umaima Naeem.
Previously when I used to think about this topic, I used to research and find ways for making cities safer for women, but now for the first time, I want to experience the city from the perspective of providing comfort to the women. This means that I explore and re-imagine the city for myself as a woman for the sake of being comfortable in my city, rather than being safe.
Because this term ‘safety’ is no longer serving me to feel related to my city, rather it arises a feeling of insecurity and escape in the back of my mind. It brings barriers, cameras (cameras are only useful after something had happened, anyway), controlled movement, and all those things that force me to stay alert and formal rather than being me. It tells me that I can’t explore my city unless I am sure that I am safe, which is not the only way to do it. There is a possibility that I feel comfortable than I can go out and explore as well and relate to my city, its spaces and its people, hopefully.
This also tells me that in order to feel comfortable I have certain rights to be fulfilled, and I must know that what they are. Women are different from men and yes the gender thing counts and we must embrace that rather than denying that. We need more than what men need from their places and so let’s reclaim the places for us! Let’s learn today about what we as a girl/women rightfully need as I explore the city from the lens and need of a woman.
As I step out of my home, I prefer travelling through public transport or walk on foot more than men. Men use cars more. And that means I contribute to the sustainable travelling, more points on my side. But the problem is that the city is being designed for cars rather than what I prefer to use. And for that reason in order to travel comfortably I have to resort to private cars and uber services which clearly shifts the sustainable mode of travelling by me, not my choice though!
And for me to have a comfortable journey across my city I need safe zones and management in public transport services and I need space to walk alone or with my kids especially the one who is in the pram. I need space, I need footpath. I also need trees for shelter. And also, I need benches and a nice place to sit and relax and to wait. A sitting element that is comfortable as it is placed near trees, lights and shade and is visible during day and night time. It is not something that I need only, it is a basic necessity for active mobility, for people who are sick, disable, caretakers, child caretakers etc. We all need a comfortable place to sit as we travel across the city at whatever time.
Also, as a woman, I tend to use toilets more often than men for sake of myself or my children. Also if we analyze, women bathroom (toilet seat/wc) should be at least three times the size of men bathroom. Also, there should be a safe space for my children to wait for me especially the ones in the pram, if I ever travel alone with my kids. As an architect I can imagine the spatial requirements of a facility. And I must ask for more space and facility than men if I want more girls/women to use city spaces.
Also when it comes to designing spaces we tend to segregate spaces for boys and girls in a manner that is restricted to certain play or activity. It is mostly visible in playgrounds. The accessibility and movement of girls shouldn’t be hindered and restricted rather than facilitated in a fair manner. There must be the opportunity to have different types of play and activities in one place at same time.
And yes, comfort isn’t just a matter of providing amenities but also a psychological comfort is required to step into a place. That can happen if a girl/woman is sure that if any mishap happen, she can report to management and an action will be taken. Say no to sleaze! Campaign awareness and protection units must be placed and organized in public spaces. It’s time to provide girls/women the rights they have and make this city a place of pride for all.
All of this is possible if we start partnerships with architects, urban planners, transit authorities, landscape architects and planning agencies and educate the design professions about ways to build projects from the outset that consider women’s safety and comfort as a key element of their design program; this could set the stage for and induce the psycho-social, behavioral, and cultural changes that need to take place before women are truly able to enjoy public spaces and engage fully in the civic life of their cities. And it is being done by Global Placemaking Network in different countries.
These rights and demands of women in the city are from the findings in Barcelona, Spain as they lead their project called ‘Superblocks’ meant to reclaim the streets for pedestrians as cars occupy more space than any other road user, cyclists or just hangouts. Do check out how they are practicing and creating spaces that are built for women and other vulnerable citizens as well.
Photo: Shiza Nazir/Unsplash