The Spaces We Create
Four steps to creating more space for women in the smart city and urban fields
The spaces we create. With urbanisation comes repeated and critical discussions and debates on how to utilise our streets to meet the needs of the citizens. There are frequent memes and graphics on social media that demonstrate the transformation of space made for cars being revolutionised to become space for people. There are articles showing how the streets in Sweden are being reinvented to create space for outdoor interaction and micro-mobility hubs through the concept of the ‘one-minute city’. However, who is influencing how the space is used and who is the space really designed for?
Using an analogy of a street redesign process, the transformation of space in our city streets can be seen similarly to the transformation of space for women to take up more seats at the decision-making table.
Here are a few ideas of how we can support women within the field and be more mindful of how we are reinventing our spaces:
1. Realising that there is extra space (awareness)
It is International Women’s Day tomorrow. A day where we make time to appreciate and celebrate women. In the smart city industry, women are still underrepresented. For example, in the tech industry, male figures have historically dominated the field and the Harvard Business Review has stated that 41% of women working in tech eventually leave the field (compared to just 17% of men — Rachel Thomas. In city government, the trend in the past is also apparent.
To dig deeper, I interviewed Gretel Schaj, a colleague of mine at BABLE Smart Cities (BABLE Community) who has worked in the smart city industry for a number of years. She explains, ‘Some years ago, I was a bit astonished one day at a consortium meeting with representatives from cities and companies from 5 different EU countries. I was one of only two women represented in that room.’
The first step in creating change is, most of the time, awareness. Before we even decide that a street has more potential than being driven on, we must first recognise that it has extra space.
We need more women making decisions about cities, and more women shaping those decisions (e.g. through citizen engagement).
If we are co-creating spaces for citizens (approx. half of which who identify as female), isn’t it time that the co-creation process is also equally represented by the same divisions of diversity that make up the fabric of our societies? If we are reclaiming our streets from cars, shouldn’t we bring an equal representation of the people to the table for whom we are reclaiming them for?
2. Inviting the right people to talk about what to do with the space (action)
Just like you wouldn’t forget to invite an urban planner to the discussion about what to do with the space of our streets, don’t forget to invite women when talking about urban solutions for all citizens. As more women tear down the facades of the infrastructures built on a patriarchal society, we can bring a future of fresh perspective and inclusivity into our streets. Invite women to talk about topics that will impact women. Stand up against all-male panels. Be mindful and intentional about it.
3. Plant some trees in the space (growth)
Many re-designs of street space incorporate planting of greenery and allow nature to reclaim a spot in our cities. For example, Mayor Anne Hidalgo of Paris is transforming the most famous avenue in the world into an ‘extraordinary garden’. The tide is turning, and we are seeing more and more cities being crafted by women and built with women and diversity in mind. Gretel Schaj continues, ‘In the past years, I have come across more women working in the smart city field and, in some cases, and I have had the pleasure to work with some of them.’ Providing space is only the first part of the equation, we need to plant the seeds and water them too. Allow women to speak and do not smother their intentions or opinions with unintentional interruptions.
Women who have been breaking ground as mayors of cities (like in Barcelona) are showing us how women leadership in urban governance can bring vitality to the way in which we think about our cities. With more women leaders in both the private and public sector, cities can become hubs of inclusion and safety that represents the diversity of needs and thoughts of the residents.
Gretel Schaj alludes to the private and public dynamic with female representation, ‘My impression is that the public sector has been steadily increasing its female representation and that the private sector is lagging behind these changes’. There is progress and yet there are still a lot of trees that need to be planted and nourished.
4. Allow for a variety of activities (flourishment)
Street spaces can be used by people for socialisation, for sports and for every-day practicalities, and thus should keep in mind the diversity of interests and capabilities of the citizens. Only providing a space for one activity would alienate some citizens. For example, women have been shown to frequent public transport more than men. If cities are designed for cars, we can quickly see which parties lose from this unbalanced type of planning.
So, what kind of spaces should we be providing women within the field? In our industries, women should be given options for the spaces that are provided. Women could be included in citizen participation, as tech consultants, as specialists in data governance (like Gretel Schaj — see article below), as strategists, and… well, to be frank, as anything they well please. Observe biases about the positions that women have traditionally held and allow space for them to hold positions and design our cities in ways that we have never seen before. Just imagine the possibilities.
P.S. This is not an article with men as a target audience, but rather to every person working within the field
Some men feel under attack in articles telling them about how they have biases and how they need to make space for women. However, this is not a women’s issue or a man’s issue, but rather an issue of solving our most pressing urban problems in a way that truly benefits everyone. Any person in a position of power can support and make more space for women and allow them to grow and flourish.
I believe there is still a way to go to have a truly equal representation of women across sectors, and especially a more diverse base. It’s with this focus on diversity that we can all work together in supporting cities in becoming more sustainable and inclusive. — Gretel Schaj
My hope is that every time two women stand in a space filled with men making decisions about our urban spaces, the next time will be filled with more women. It is my hope that we take more days than just one to celebrate the achievements of women in this field, to rebuild our streets and replenish our spaces with enough room for activities that appeal to all.
If we truly want to drive the change for a better urban life, women are not an optional inclusion into the decision-making processes, they are essential.
Create time to celebrate women. Make space to let women help revolutionise our cities.
