Gender perspective : neutral public space

Abstract

Urban spaces, cities have particular physical, economical, social and institutional form. In spaces like this different Gender come together and they collide, collude or contain each other. Carla Greed1 argues “you can never plan entirely separately for women (or for men)”. However the structure of urban space is a reflection of social construct of the city and vice-versa. Women and Men, children, teenagers, elderly, differently able, racial, ethnic, religious, classes, all experience city and contribute to it in a different way. Built environment are spatial and organizational expression of social relations. Seeking ways of accommodating diverse needs and practices is vital for creating comprehensive cities. Central to understanding the impact of social relations on the city is recognizing the specific imprint of gender relations on the city. (Little, 1994; McDowell, 1983; Wilson, 1991).2 The physical and social dynamics of public space play a central role in the formation of publics and public culture. A city's streets, parks, squares, and other shared spaces have been seen as symbols of collective well-being and possibility, expressions of achievement and aspiration by urban leaders and visionaries, sites of public encounter and formation of civic culture, and significant spaces of political deliberation and agonistic struggle. 1 Greed, C. (1994) Women and Planning, Creating Gendered Realities, Routledge, London 2 Little, J.(1994) Gender, Planning and Policy Process, Pergamon Press, Oxford McDowell, L. (1983) “Towards an Understanding of the Gender Division of Urban Space”, Environment and Planning for Society and Space, Vol 1, No 1, pp.57-70 Wilson, E.(1991) The Sphinx in the City: Urban Life, the Control of Disorder and Women, Virago Press, London

There has been aspiration of “Gendered City” in order to overcome any gender inequality and not yet a reality. This will be observed more in Urban spaces often overlook the particular needs of children, differently able and women in any context due to physical difference and more due to their socially ascribed roles, as workers, mothers, care givers, and decision makers. However neither women nor men are homogeneous group of people and gender identity is influenced by race, ethnicity, age, class and education. For example women do experience specific gender constrains in the city due to their social representation. Although women are not the only group whose activities in public are constrained or who are overly confined to private world of home. In terms of built environment children, differently able and women face particular insecurities and danger in cities. Looking back in history women has been associated with private space of home and men with public spaces. This spatial organization of the city has long been instrumental in defining appropriate spaces for women and children. In the ever changing world the role of men and women have changed, which impacts the perception of users of public spaces. In today’s city neither men nor women can be expected to be seen as just workers or homemakers. Non definite role of people in the society has created public spaces that are without life and hence non effective in function. This paper will attempt to prepare a guideline for gender neutral spaces and study urban public spaces from gender perspective present in society .The paper will conclude with analysis for those spaces and recommendations. The steps and methodology that will be followed during the preparation of this research paper are listed below.

Outline 1. Historic context of Gender Spaces (social context). 2. Spatial segregation and urban formation. 3. Desegregation of public and private responsibility. 4. Impact on urban fabric. 5. Case study of different urban spheres (public and private) 6. Preparation of a framework for comparison 7. Analysis and Recommendation 8. Design guideline 9. Conclusion

Methodology Collection of Materials: Using resources for collection of study material form all available resources.

Detail Study on Subject to find answers to following: How Gender roles were designated in society historically? How Public and private segregation of space was done? What forces brought homogeneous existence of gender in city today? What role does built environment play to bring justice to all involved groups?

Case Study: This will be a study of existing norms and patterns of cityscape and its influence on Gender. (Specific group sample study). Preparation of the checklist

Findings &Analysis: Identifying the shortcoming on the basis of the analysis chart and finding possible remedy issue and making an effort to address it so as to create “gendered city”.

Recommendation and Design Guideline: Engendering solutions by design based on case study of various public places