Category: Gender-sensitive cities

Women in Politics

Posted on by erik

In short, this study provides a global overview of the situation concerning the participation and representation of women in politics in Europe from the firm standpoint that gender equality in decision-making is a right, but also a highly political issue, essential to the positive advancement of our democracies. Good governance can only arise from just and healthy decisions taken by women and men together for the good of society as a whole.

While some progress has been made over the last ten years, women are still under-represented and the situation in local and regional government is of particular concern. In Europe today, only 15.4% of mayors are women.

The average proportion of women in local councils remains stuck below 30% (28.9%) and is only slightly higher in regional assemblies (30.9%). At this rate, how many years will it take before a 50–50 gender balance is reached among women and men in politics?

The Silent Revolution of Public Spaces in Afghanistan

Posted on by erik

"The Silent Revolution of Public Spaces in Afghanistan is the untold story of hope and peace in urban areas. The provision of public spaces in cities across Afghanistan is shaping the lives of the citizens, especially women and the poor, and the relationship with their cities. It is a social and cultural revolution that has empowered women, created jobs for the poor and improved the living standards of the citizens. It is a silent and peaceful revolution that has transformed the people and the city, building trust and confidence in public institutions. The photobook serves to portray the Afghan government’s response to the immediate urban challenges through impactful photos and stories. […]"

Solutions for and by cities

Posted on by erik

"The Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation is dedicated to decentralised, city-to-city cooperation and sharing lessons learned from experience. Its focus covers the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic and environmental, and two additional domains – governance and technology.
The fourth edition of the Guangzhou Award was a remarkable show of these links between innovation and learning from different stakeholders. This publication is an attempt to extend the prestige of the initiatives that were shortlisted for the award, and to spread their legacy to even broader audiences."

Remarkable Women in Transport

Posted on by erik

Transport systems can only become truly inclusive and gender-responsive if the voices, perspectives and experiences of women are reflected at all levels in the transport sector. Thus, as it is still a largely male-dominated field, it is imperative to focus on increasing the number of women working on transport.
TUMI endeavours to support this transformational change by empowering women experts and stimulate behavioural change in the transport sector and in cities all around the world. As visibility is key to change mind-sets, this first round of TUMI’s Remarkable Women in Transport series introduces more than 60 highly qualified women transport experts, and highlights their contribution to sustainable mobility solutions on the ground – by women, for the entire society.
This publication is meant to showcase the diversity of female change makers in transport.

Reclaiming the Streets of Fortaleza, Brazil

Posted on by erik
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy works around the world to design and implement high- quality transport systems and policy solutions that make cities more livable, equitable, and sustainable.
Content of this issue:
The Effects of Transportation on Early Childhood Development
Fortaleza’s Progress Shows that Change is Still Possible in Brazil
Bucheon City Goes from a Car-Centric City to a People-Friendly Vision
In Cairo, ITDP Works to Improve Transport Access for Women
America, The Netherlands, and Oil Crisis: 50 Years Later
Frequency Is Freedom
Scooters, E-bikes, Rideshares, and More: Learning from Dockless Bikeshar
On Mexico City’s Buses, a Little Technology Goes a Long Way
MOBILIZE Dar es Salaam
In Jakarta’s Urban Villages Women Are Moving Mobility Forward
“Women-only” Transport: A "Solution" To What End?
As Cities in the US and Europe Explore Electrification, China Is Taking the Lead
Transforming Streets in São Pauo
From the Narrow Lanes of Agra to the BRT Lanes of Pune: 20 Years of the ITDP India Program
New Resources from ITDP

Gender-inclusive climate action in cities

Posted on by erik

"In recent years, a small number of extraordinary women have emerged as key leaders on global action to tackle climate change. However, more generally, women are grossly under-represented in high-level climate negotiations; tend to be disproportionately vulnerable to climate impacts; and climate solutions tend to ignore gender-specific issues, perpetuating a general bias of infrastructure and services designed predominantly for men. This report sets out proposals for how to correct these imbalances and, through focusing on an inclusive climate action approach, to ensure that investment to cut emissions and improve resilience will benefit the full diversity of urban citizens, rich and poor, men and women."

Safety and public space

Posted on by erik

Around the world, troubling levels of violence against women result in a restricted or complete lack of rights and opportunities for women and girls. For a majority of the world’s population, who is increasingly concentrated in large cities, this violence takes place in public spaces which are not restricted by jurisdictional borders, i.e., the metropolitan territories that to a great extent are managed by the members of Metropolis.
This report addresses the lack of safety that women and girls face in public spaces, and presents the findings of a review of the policies and programmes that metropolitan governments have established to proactively respond to these concerns. It sheds light on the involvement of Metropolis members to ensure that women and girls have the right to the metropolitan city, by mapping policies, strategies and instruments that foster safer and more accessible streets, squares, parks, neighborhoods and eventually the totality of metropolitan public spaces.

Solutions for gender fair cities

Posted on by erik

"This report is the product of the Womanability research-action project. It reveals the numerous, and sometimes unexpected, obstacles to the equal access and enjoyment of public spaces by women, from a lack of green spaces, accessible public transportation, and public toilets, to persistent harassment and outright violence. Building on these experiences and observations, the report offers a series of recommendations and best practices, many developed by women themselves, for creating the gender equal cities of the future. […]"