Antonio Gomez-Palacio’s Post

Have you ever wondered how urban spaces might transform if truly inclusive design principles were applied? As a lecturer for the DAAD German Academic Exchange Service funded course on « Gender Perspectives in Urban Development », organized by Via Austroboreal e.V., I recently explored this crucial question (once again). During my session, I led discussions on Feminist Gender Studies, Intersectionality in Urban Planning, and Feminist Urbanism. These topics, as always, revealed a significant oversight in our current approach to urban planning and sustainability: the absence of a comprehensive gender perspective. As everyone knows through this platform, gender-inclusive approach to urban development is something I always advocate for, and is a cornerstone of my work. I believe that addressing the diverse needs of all community members, particularly when implementing new technologies, leads to more effective and inclusive urban solutions. Too often, the needs of marginalized groups - and not only women - are ignored, giving us urban projects that fail to serve everyone. I was also honored to participate as a guest lecturer during the students' presentations, and their impressive work and the growing acceptance of this topic in academic discourse truly warmed my heart. I extend my gratitude to Via Austroboreal e.V., DAAD German Academic Exchange Service, and 2811 for their dedication to promoting gender perspectives in urban development and for creating such a rich learning environment. Pro-tip to all the students out there: challenge the status quo and ensure that every urban project amplifies the voices of all its users if you really want to build more inclusive and sustainable cities. #UrbanDevelopment #Gender #InclusiveCities #Intersectionality #SustainableUrbanism

Breaking Traditional Gender Norms in Design: Henning Larsen's "Urban Minded" Project. Henning Larsen's innovative project, "Urban Minded" , emphasizes in creating urban spaces that challenge traditional gender narratives and promote inclusivity, especially for girls. This unique urban design concept breaks away from conventional norms to make urban areas more engaging and accessible for everyone, especially young girls. It offers a hopeful glimpse into how thoughtful design can address deep-rooted stereotypes, promoting equity and empowering young women. Discover more about this transformative approach to urban planning: Henning Larsen - Urban Minded

In the past year and a half, I've been studying how women in Mumbai commute and how their travel choices affect the environment. Recently, my findings were published in a book called "Calibrating Urban Livability in the Global South," in a chapter titled "Gender Analysis of Commuters' Travel Behavior and its Impact on Environmental Emissions”. You can find the link to the book below, and feel free to reach out if you need any help accessing it. Happy reading! https://lnkd.in/d_E6pByc

For my 'Gender and Intersectionality' class, which aligns closely with my doctoral thesis goals, I read Sandra Harding's "Is there a feminist method?" to present a clear critique of urban mobility studies, using Harding's frameworks. Here's a new outcome on my personal blog #EquitableMobility 💜 Women Mobilize Women Women on the Move Transforming Transport in Asia

One of the projects we work on in The Gendered City is #FeministPlacemaking in which merges with my expertise in Placemaking and #FeministPlacemaking that I try to theorize while doing participatory projects with a feminist lens. Feminist placemaking, as I define it, is the ultimate form of radical participation that recognizes the #systemicbiases against women and girls in the processes of urban planning and design. It underscores the disparities they face, whether rooted in the unequal burden of care responsibilities or the polarization of opinions often dominated by male perspectives. This form of placemaking is not merely about creating spaces but about transforming the very #structures that dictate who gets to shape those spaces. It highlights the disparities in access to decision-making, challenges the invisibility of women's contributions, and addresses the barriers that prevent their full engagement. Whether these barriers arise from cultural norms, societal expectations, or institutional practices, feminist placemaking insists on dismantling them to create environments where all genders can thrive equitably. We have launched a page with tools, data, and projects on the core principles of #feministparticpation. PlacemakingX Town Team Movement Placemaking Education FEM. DES. Network. 🧨 Check the page here!! https://lnkd.in/dARmtvMs Check the articles here!! https://lnkd.in/dtiG_Cga

✨ My Saturday morning quick read this week is on urban regeneration. Ever thought about how urban regeneration is linked to gender-transformative urban planning, especially for women? 👇 This article delves into comprehensive approaches, from infrastructure upgrades to sustainability initiatives, all aimed at enhancing residents' quality of life. Highlighting the vital role of #community engagement and innovative planning, understanding how efforts to transform urban areas into vibrant, sustainable communities are impacting #gender and #women throughout the process, and addressing how inclusive #policies and opportunities can empower communities and drive positive changes needs to be at top of mind throughout such a process. Too often community engagement and inclusion come at the end of the process or are inadequate. What are some of your strategies? #urbanplanning #inclusion #housing #mobility #economic #leadership #infrastructure #sustainability Devdiscourse

In a world striving for inclusivity, it's crucial to reshape our urban landscapes to accommodate the diverse needs of different communities. We ❤️ London Legacy Development Corporation’s new handbook which addresses the often-overlooked gender biases in town planning and urban design, which have traditionally catered more to men in positions of authority. The handbook provides practical tools for creating more equitable and inclusive urban places that take into consideration needs of women and girls. It is written to offer practical tools and share best practices through case studies, aiming to inspire gender-informed processes in urban design and planning. Check it out to understand 💡why cities need to be designed with a genuine understanding of women's, girls', and gender-diverse people's lived experiences. 💡why implementing gender-informed approaches can significantly reduce gender inequalities in urban environments. 💡 how local authorities and developers can follow practical steps to ensure their projects are inclusive and gender-sensitive.

"Recent urban policy debates have heralded the “15-minute city” as a solution to a host of environmental, social, and economic challenges facing our cities. In an urban world where cities have been designed by and for men, however, can the 15-minute city promise to improve the lives of women, girls, and other marginalized groups without deeper transformations?" https://lnkd.in/emBvkeu9

How would the work you are doing look if you saw it through an equity lens? Well, we have to. This is true in every country, every city, every neighbourhood. https://lnkd.in/gCYU8iaX via World Resources Institute #cities #communitywellbeing #equity #inclusion #equityandinclusion #citiesforall #sustainabledesign #wellbeing #wellbeingbydesign #unsdg

Gender equity for women is a fine aim, but it’s not just about social attitudes or equal pay. Urban environments have a role to play when it comes to workforce participation. According to researchers in the UK, the way we design urban spaces is yet to catch up with this aim. Their paper on gender responsive urban planning takes a user-centred look at how women use urban space. It wasn’t so long ago that women stayed home performing household tasks and walking to the shops for daily food supplies. Meanwhile, men were free to range the urban environment (assuming they were fit and able). See link for synopsis of Gender Walks in the City. Note on terminology. Gender isn't just code for women. If the study is about women then say so. The post has a second item, Gender Inclusivity in Streetscapes that includes a case study that uses a broader concept of gender.