Gender sensitive design

Christchurch based landscape architect Nicki Williams has been aware for some time that there are gender differences in the way people use cities. But it wasn’t until she began researching the topic that she realised quite how far reaching the impact of male-designed cities is.

“It affects the work women can take on, their transport options and ease of access to the city, and even how and where young women or girls can hang out with their friends,” Williams says.

Linear Travel vs Trip Chaining. Source: EU Civitas Policy Note “Gender Equality & Mobility: Mind the Gap”

Traditionally, transport systems, town planning and public spaces have been designed by men for men, she says. Not intentionally, but just because they assumed that what’s good for them is good for everyone.  

“That’s resulted in cities that work best for those who work full-time and have no unpaid caregiving roles.  And while this group consists of all genders, data shows that men make up the majority of the group both nationally and internationally.”

Williams, who works for Christchurch City Council, became interested in doing her own research after reading Invisible Women by award winning campaigner, Caroline Criado Perez. The book exposes the hidden bias in our everyday lives, bringing together case studies, stories and research from around the world which illustrate the ways in which women are forgotten in government policy, technology, workplaces and medical research because data gathered to inform all these things is overwhelmingly based on men.

“If women and the broader spectrum of genders are taken into account, it not only benefits gender diversity but also all those in deprived households; those who work part-time; those who undertake unpaid care work; those with mobility issues; and children and the elderly,” Williams says.

Women cycling with children. Source: Christchurch City Council

The concept of gender sensitive design isn’t new and has been practiced in Vienna since 1992 when the Women’s Office of the City of Vienna was set up by Eva Kail.  There are a lot of examples around the world where a gender lens has been successfully applied to design projects.  Examples include housing developments, parks and playgrounds, transport infrastructure and sports facilities.  It’s a concept that needs to be applied at all levels of a city to have the greatest impact right from planning, policy and budgeting through to design.

In terms of transportation, women have different needs and travel patterns to men. In New Zealand and overseas women are more likely than men to walk, take public transport or be a passenger in a car. This often stems from the fact that women tend to be poorer than men due to factors like the gender pay gap and the need to do part-time work to fit in with care responsibilities. They’re also less likely to have access to the family car.

“So then if someone doesn’t have access to a car and they’re trying to do lots of trips around the city, for example, that can make their life quite difficult. It reduces the amount of time they’ve got to do other things whether it’s working or other activities.”

Better infrastructure for alternative modes of transport can help with that. A lot of cities, Christchurch being one of them she says, are designed around car use, meaning that other infrastructure like cycleways, pedestrian facilities and public transport aren’t as good as they could be.

 “So if you’re a parent and you want to go somewhere with a child you're not really going to bike on a busy street. You end up either having to take the car or walk, or take the bus depending on what your options are. But then if those bus systems aren’t set up very well it can take longer to get where you need to go, especially if there’s more than one place you need to get to.” 

 Williams says data collected in Christchurch shows that where separated cycleways have been installed there’s been an increase in women and children using them to get around. “So that kind of stuff does make a difference in terms of more equitable transport mode options.” 

 Williams also pointed to the design of playgrounds and parks in terms of unintended gender discrimination. Overseas research shows that from the age of 10 girls’ use of playgrounds declines significantly. That’s because boys are more likely to appropriate a single large space, boys tend to play formal games while girls prefer informal ones, and youth spaces tend to focus on male activities such as skateboarding, climbing and basketball.

Seating areas encouraging girls participation in parks. Source: City of Vienna

Feedback from public consultation in Christchurch, Williams says, found that girls wanted somewhere to sit in all weather, with seats so they can hang out near where the activity is happening (eg. next to basketball courts). They prefer smaller seating areas where they can sit with a few friends but still feel part of a larger group. 

Branston coloured basketball court. Source: Park Life Ltd

Other strategies that can make girls feel included is the use of brightly coloured court surfacing which indicate to girls that these spaces are for them as well; and in Sweden they’ve named a soccer court after a local female soccer star and the facility focuses on girls’ soccer.

Williams is beginning to make presentations on her research to units within Christchurch City Council. And she’ll be speaking at the 2021 NZILA Firth Conference.

Anyone who wants to read her discussion paper can contact Nicki at nicki.williams@ccc.govt.nz.