On 30 June I was invited as a guest by Pointer on NPO Radio 1 to talk about the role of women in designing public space. This conversation followed from recent research showing that women often feel unsafe and unwelcome in outdoor areas. What causes this? And what is needed to create a more inclusive public space? I conducted research into this together with colleagues (Krista Schram, Tamar Fischer, Wenda Doff, Linda Zuijderwijk and Joost Jansen) in Rotterdam.
💡 My contribution highlighted the discrepancy between prevailing thoughts about increasing safety perception and how (young) women use the public space. Policymakers and urban designers will have to look at public space from a women’s perspective in order to design effective interventions. Preferably in a way where women are also allowed to participate in designing these interventions.
Geertje Slingerland | Co-designing urban transitions with people 