Gender perspective

The traditional urban planning approach has prioritized a standard user model, focused on private vehicle users, which favors city zoning over the integration of all uses at every scale. This approach makes daily routes unfeasible by excluding design needs related to caregiving roles, reduced mobility, and everyday dynamics, impacting women, children, older people, and other groups. Additionally, the fear of harassment or violence in poorly designed or underused spaces limits the freedom of movement for many women, as well as other users such as the LGBTQ+ community.

In physical environments, inclusive infrastructures are required, such as connected pedestrian streets and routes, accessible and safe public transportation, adequate lighting, and public spaces that promote social interaction. For digital environments, participatory tools are needed that allow people to express diverse needs and applications that provide information about safe and accessible routes. Awareness of gender inequalities in urban space usage should also be promoted through educational and participatory platforms.

These urban planning measures benefit various user profiles: women of all ages who, due to caregiving responsibilities or daily chores, require accessible and safe environments, LGBTQ+ individuals who face exclusion or insecurity in public spaces and need inclusive spaces; and those who are caregivers.