Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Guided By: Prof. Niraj Naik Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

THESIS SCOPE The way many cities are built often makes people belonging to gender minorities unsafe, fails to provide for their basic needs and restricts their social and economic opportunities.

As a result, billions of people are underserved by the urban environments they live and work in.

Just as the built environment can ingrain or enhance existing inequities, it can be a strong catalyst for change.

This thesis looks at the various aspects of the built environment that add to or compound gender inequities and proposes ways by which these inequities can be diminished.

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Intervention

Development

Conceptual

Road Mapping of the Study

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Gender and the Built Environment Gender biases in the built environment contribute directly to gendered social and economic inequities, feeding into the systemic oppression of the minorities.

Due to which they often: • Struggle to access gainful employment, education and other basic human endowments • Struggle to accumulate wealth and achieve economic independence • Spend more on basic services • Have fewer social freedoms — hindering them from building social networks to cope with risk, stress, and shock • Struggle to exercise agency in public decision-making, including decisions that shape the built environment Many drivers of gender inequality can be linked to the built environment. Hence the built environment, and its planning and design, can be viewed as key opportunities to promote equity.

Source: World Bank Handbook for Gender Inclusive Urban Planning Design

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Lack of political voice

Implications

• •

Access to land, security of tenure, and housing

Exclusion from participation in local government Exclusion from decision making

Sexual harassment at unsafe places

Creating an Assessment Framework

Lesser opportunities due to poor access

Public Realm Unaffordable Land

Livelihoods

Implications

Access to infrastructure and services

Insecure housing

No negotiation power

Fewer employment opportunities

Inadequate Services

Lack of secure tenure

Limited or non-existent Fear and anxiety at health services unsafe places Health and Hygiene

Safety and security

Labour intensive work has low income

Congested Living Environments

Fewer resources

Poor mental health due to inadequate access

Lack of employment

Inhibition of mobility

Garbage in the streets

1. Urban Block Sizes 2. Land Uses 3. Amenities provided

Built Environment 1. Housing Opportunities 2. Employment Opportunities 3. Public Toilets

Slums are often near contaminating industrial activities Small plot sizes and small dwellings expose women and children to indoor air pollution from cooking.

Non-existent security from formal sector wages

Secondary Data Collection

Mobility Existing Literature World Bank Handbook for Gender Inclusive Urban Planning Design

Gender Responsive Urban Planning and Design by UNDP

Case Studies Urban Design Scale

Policy Level

Vienna, Austria

Mexico City, Mexico

Dar Es Salam, Tanzania

Mozambique – Manica City

Seoul, Korea

Mendoza, Argentina

Detail Design Level

1. Frequency 2. Information Display 3. Last Mile Connectivity

Safety and Security 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Sight Lines Lighting Streets Footpaths Lack of signages Monitoring

Assessment framework Source: Gender Responsive Urban Planning and Design by UNDP

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Designing cities that work for women translates to better cities for all, with strong multiplier socio-economic and environmental effects across households, families, and local communities.

A gender-inclusive city can lead to a healthier, safer, more resilient, and more inclusive built environment that nurtures social cohesion and enhances the livelihoods of communities.

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Intervention

Development

Conceptual

Road Mapping of the Study

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Introduction to Pilot Area Built Mass

Reasons for selecting Bhavani Peth: 8218

8222

Female Male

• Bhavani Peth has seen the transition of the old Pune and new Pune • Its a combination of commercial, residential and mixed use buildings

20 Built

Open Areas

10 70

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

• A lot of public places are in vicinity

Streets

• Follows the traditional pattern of planning Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Public Realm Urban Block Sizes

Urban Block Sizes

Definition A city block is the smallest group of buildings that is surrounded by streets.

The median urban block length should fall between 100 and 150 meters.

Garbage Dumping on footpaths

Conventionally block lengths were longer and did not promote walkability

No street furniture

Yes 26%

To ensure gender equity, block sizes should be smaller and should promote easy access to transit nodes

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

No 74%

Are the streets walkable?

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Public Realm Land Use Mapping

Land Use Mapping

Definition Increase intensity of land use, increase diversity of land use or integrating segregated uses.

Floor space area (FSA) regulations can be used to encourage densification.

Conventionally land uses were divided and separated that created residential, industrial and commercial zones

Mixed Use Buildings 8

2

20 45

25

To promote gender equity, Institutes, health care centres, open area should all be accessible within a settlement to ensure reduced time taken to commute

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Residential

Mix Use

Commercial

PSP

Recreational

Land Use Distribution

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Public Realm Amenities Provided

Amenities Provided

Definition Basic

amenities

like

ATM,

Parking, Convenience shopping, religious facilities, crèche and other amenities such as School, Medical Clinic, Community hall with sports facilities, Restaurant should be provided at safe and

Recreational Centre in the region

accessible location

Conventionally public spaces were designed to be accessible and diverse by creating open public spaces Temple at Street Corner

To ensure gender equity diversity of uses and people should be promoted. Public spaces should facilitate women’s multiple roles.

Distance to recreational activities

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Built Environment Housing Opportunities

Housing Opportunities

Definition Both a physical and social structure, housing functions at various spatial scales —home, neighborhood, city, region

Houses looking onto the street

Conventionally housing complexes do not have provisions for open spaces and ICDS centres

Low density residential complex Hotels

44

74

Hostels

To ensure gender equity, housing complexes must consist of child care centres and community centers

Paying Guests

Rented Accom

54

82

Preferred housing options for women

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Built Environment Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

Definition For women to be able to access a full range of public services, workplaces, schools, and other key amenities, economic opportunities must be unlocked so that they feel at ease and connected to others in the city allowing them to stay mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy.

Timber Market in the area

Conventionally very few employment opportunities were available for women that were spaced far away from their residences

Mixed Use Buildings in the area

To ensure gender equity, various employment opportunities should be available at accessible distances Distance to other commercial centres

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Built Environment Public Toilets

Public Toilets

Definition Public Toilets should be well lit and have well lit surroundings as well, the entrance to each block should be separated, all cubicles should be safe, clean and safe place for caregivers to cater to babies. Along with all this, period care products should also be provided in the toilet blocks.

Conventionally separate toilet blocks are not provided. Hygiene products and baby care spaces are not provided

SBM Public Toiletsblocked by autos Impact zones w.r.t. toilet zones

Very few stalls, very less space and no ventilation

To ensure gender equity, provision of more number of stalls along with hygiene products and disposal mechanisms.

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

entrance

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Mobility Frequency of buses

Frequency of buses

Definition Frequency refers to the different modes available in a defined period of time.

Conventionally time between two buses is higher and distance between transit nodes is also more.

Preference of opting for bus

400-500m

To ensure gender equity, frequency of buses should be increased, by placing transit nodes closer to each other.

Alternatives for bus unavailability

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Mobility Frequency of buses

Frequency of people

Definition Frequency refers to the different modes available in a defined period of time.

At 0900 hours

At 1300 hours

At 1700 hours

At 2100 hours

Conventionally time between two buses is higher and distance between transit nodes is also more.

400-500m

To ensure gender equity, frequency of buses should be increased, by placing transit nodes closer to each other.

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Mobility Information Display

Information Display

Definition Introducing real-time signage that shows expected transit arrival times.

Display of information on bus stops

Conventionally there is no information display on bus stops and transit nodes

1

Signages display information about major landmarks

To ensure gender equity, Display real-time route information, timetables, and helpline nos. in buses, bus stops and terminals Strategically located signs contributes to a feeling of safety

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Mobility Last Mile Connectivity

Last Mile Connectivity

Definition Provide fast, convenient interchange options and spatial provision for various modes of Intermediate Public Transport Multimodal Transit Station for seamless travel

Illegally parked autos on the street

Improve access to public transit

Intermediate Public Transport should be placed at 400 meters distance multiple mode choices at various prices and comfort levels with improved walking and cycling infrastructure

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Safety in para-transit modes

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Safety and Security Sight Lines

Sight Lines

Definition Preserving well-defined lines of sight along the street, considering the placement of trees, signage, infrastructure, and construction scaffolding.

Appropriate Sight Lines

Vulnerable Zones

Large columns, tall fences, over grown shrubbery and other barriers block sight lines.

Low hedges or planters, small trees, wrought iron or chain-link fences, transparent reinforced glass, lawn or flower beds, benches allow users to see and be seen

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Sight lines are obstructed due to trees, illegal parking and encroachment

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Safety and Security Street Lighting

Street Lighting: Unsafe Zones

Definition The optimum use of high quality lighting in public areas meets the security needs of women, as well as of pedestrians and cyclists in general.

Dark Spots

Dark Spots

Street Lights at chowks

Obstructed lighting due to trees. No lighting in tertiary streets

No street light on internal roads

To ensure gender equity. using pedestrian scale street lighting in high pedestrian traffic areas to help people recognize potential threats at night.

Lighting on streets

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Safety and Security Street Network

Street Network

Definition Streets are the great connectors of neighborhoods and cities, and in many places they constitute the largest supply of public open space available.

Primary Road

Well connected, highly porous with 24/7 influx of the various variety of people

Secondary Road

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

ROW (12m)

Ramp Footpath

ROW (12m)

Divider

Shop

Footpath

Presence of 24 hour open urban elements. Provision of bike lane, bus lane, sidewalk, safe separation buffers Mix Use

Tertiary Road

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Safety and Security Footpaths

Footpaths

Definition Walk path indicates whether a person can comfortably walk in a place. This could refer to the quality of a pavement or space along a road.

Obstruction by people

Security of pedestrians from large vehicles

Absence of footpaths

The height of the footpath should be 150mm. A gender-responsive footpath has three zones- a frontage zone(0.2-1m), a walking zone (1.5m3m), and a multi-utility zone (Varies)

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Safety and Security Lack of Signages

Lack of Signages

Definition Well designed, strategically located signs and maps contribute to a feeling of security

Signages on the roads

Signages are sometimes obstructed by trees, banners and hoardings

Obstructed Signages

Signages should be large, legible and identifiable, simple shapes and graphics strategically located at entrances and near activity nodes

Need for directional signages

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Safety and Security Monitoring

Monitoring

Definition CCTV cameras should be installed in the bus shelters and streets and monitored in a control room in the nearest bus depot.

CCTv cameras at road junctions

CCTV monitoring at only important transit nodes

No CCTv cameras in secondary road

36%

Yes No

Maybe 64%

Providing continuous police patrolling in the day and night.

Providing helpline numbers and calling booths

Feeling of safety if camera is installed

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Overlap Mapping

Impact zones

Conventional v/s Gendered Approach In the planning process the neutrality of the user as well as that of the designed environment is taken for granted. There is minimal participatory approach. The decision makers seem to lack an understanding of how marginalization and resistance to women’s issues are gendered. This manifests in inadequate design, infrastructure and services which impact women to a greater extent.

It implements a participatory and inclusive design process that explores the experiences and uses of the city from the perspective of all citizen: women, men, and sexual and gender and other minorities.

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Activation of the Public Realm through placemaking

Creating safer and accessible public spaces by design

Providing care for victims of gender based violence

Create inclusive and active public spaces and green areas

Enhance access to nutrition and sanitation facilities

Providing spaces for Women-only

Community welfare systems where people can talk and discuss

Inclusive play and exercise spaces

Sanitation spaces for homeless

Tailor spaces for the needs of elderly women

Care centres for victims

Bus Stop Design

Community based cooking centres

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Adding the right urban elements

01. Passive Surveillance

08. Nudge Techniques

02. Information Display

07. Mobile Healthcare Services

03. Dustbins on the street

04. Street Furniture

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

05. Junction Design

06. Kavach Mobile Security Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Lighting on the Street BEFORE

AFTER

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Enclosed spaces and blind corners BEFORE

AFTER

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Footpaths on the Street BEFORE

AFTER

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Bus Stops in the area

BEFORE

AFTER Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Fencing along the Streets

BEFORE

AFTER Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Signages on the Street

BEFORE

AFTER

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Gendered Mobility and Access - Street design ensuring gender inclusivity

Lighting Design on Streets

Footpaths with multiple zones

Bike Share along the streets

Gender-responsive bus stop

Unobstructed Footpaths

Separate Cycle lane on the street

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Amendments in GDCR

Part of affordable housing to be earmarked for single women

Regulation in Open Space Typology in a neighbourhood

Provision of more open spaces

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Promoting mixed use development by providing incentives

Increasing COP for buildings

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Amendments in Master Plan Gender-Responsive footpaths Active open spaces acting as pause points Housing for people of all identities Inter-generational care centres Green and Blue Infrastructure

Spaces for exercise and sports Housing for female patients with physical and mental disability Spatial market spaces for women

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Demonstration Area

Impact zones

Built v/s Unbuilt

Existing Land Use

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Manifestation of the master plan through demonstration area

Demonstration Area

1

Greens at Nodes

2

Parking

3

Food stalls

4 Seating areas

5 Vending Zones 6 Play Zones

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

7

Pathways

8

Make-Shift Streets

9

Green Roofs

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Make-Shift Streets

These streets are multifunctional and will be used differently during the day and night. In the day they are used as regular streets. The location of these streets would change each night. Thus avoiding increase of density in only one part of the area.

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Make-Shift Streets

At night these streets would be used as a vending zone. These streets will be blocked for vehicular use after 8pm. Thus, encouraging influx of people, and keeping the area safe and secure till wee hours of the night.

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Movement Pattern of a Schoolgirl

Movement Pattern of Housewives

Movement Pattern of Working Women

Common Zone Under Use

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Demonstration Area

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Demonstration Area

Demonstration Area Plan

Pedestrian Zone Multi-Utility Zone Cycle Track

Key Plan

Buffer Zone Bike Station Auto Stands Benches Dustbins

Representative Section Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Demonstration Area

3D Manifestation of the street development proposal

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Impact Analysis BEFORE

PUBLIC REALM

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Impact Analysis AFTER

PUBLIC REALM

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Impact Analysis BEFORE

MOBILITY AND ACCESS

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Impact Analysis AFTER

MOBILITY AND ACCESS

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Impact Analysis BEFORE

Cat graphic

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Impact Analysis AFTER

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal

Learnings

How it is!

How it ought to be!

“The greater the diversity, the greater the perfection.”

— Thomas Berry, Cultural Historian

Re-imagining cities to ensure Gender Equity- A case of Pune, Maharashtra

Urban Design Thesis Shreya Agarwal