U.K. Planners Failing to Account for Women

A new study shows that city planners aren't following the guidelines established in last year's Gender Equality Duty, which requires planners to consider the different ways that women use public space.

1 minute read

September 2, 2008, 10:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


"Planning projects and urban regeneration schemes have traditionally catered to men far more effectively than they have to women. For example, women often have to travel from home to drop the children off at school, then go to work, then do the shopping before returning. Men, by contrast, tend to travel from home to work and back. If schools and shopping outlets are located far away from most people's places of work, therefore, women's working opportunities become much more restricted.

Similarly, women tend to be far more reliant on public transport. Previous studies have shown that 75% of bus journeys are undertaken by women and only 30% of women have access to a car during the day. Without good public transport connections, women's working and living opportunities are likewise limited."

Friday, August 29, 2008 in University of Cambridge

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