A Place for Everyone: Gender equality and urban planning

Our towns and cities are shaped by government policy and land-use planning. However, planning policy tends to ignore the fact that women and men use public space very differently and have different concerns about how it meets their needs. Looking at gender issues in planning is central to success in economic regeneration and social inclusion. This paper looks at the barriers facing local authorities, examines planning levels, and recommends changes, giving examples of good practice. For more detailed guidance, we recommend the Gender and Spatial Planning: RTPI good practice note 7 (RTPI, 2007), also available on this website