Female-friendly cities are safer for everyone
Urban planning has long focused on the needs of men, often overlooking women’s safety and social needs in public spaces. Ineke Spapé, lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences, argues for a new, inclusive design approach. Her call to action comes at a time when public safety – especially for women – is high on the societal agenda.
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Female-friendly cities are safer for everyone
Excerpt: BUas expert: urban planning must consider female perspectives
Urban planning has long focused on the needs of men, often overlooking women’s safety and social needs in public spaces. Ineke Spapé, lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences, argues for a new, inclusive design approach. Her call to action comes at a time when public safety – especially for women – is high on the societal agenda.
A city for everyone? Not yet.
Urban development has traditionally been a male-dominated field. From design to infrastructure: sports fields, wide car roads and anonymous squares reflect male priorities. The needs of women – such as social safety, visible spaces and places to gather – are often overlooked.
“What benefits women and children ultimately benefits everyone,” says Ineke Spapé, mobility and liveability expert at BUas. “But as long as we continue to design from a one-sided perspective, we miss opportunities to make cities safer and more inclusive.”
Social safety starts with design
Recent incidents in the news have brought the issue back into focus. Women, in particular, feel unsafe at night or in isolated areas. But safety is not just a matter of better lighting or CCTV — it starts with how cities are fundamentally designed.
Spapé advocates for what she calls ‘feminine functionalism’: an urban design approach that centres the experiences of women and other vulnerable groups. Think vibrant streets with multiple functions, homes that overlook public spaces, and areas where pedestrians and cyclists come first.
Education plays a key role in change
The solution doesn’t start with city plans but in education, says Spapé. “We need to train future urban planners to consider gender, diversity and participation. Female educators can make a real difference here, by serving as role models.”
Applied research and the inclusion of women — such as young girls sharing how they experience public space — are essential. “Without these insights, we remain stuck in outdated models. We need inspiring examples to show that woman-friendly urban planning not only works — it improves the city for all.”