The ACD team in Scotland attended a thought-provoking discussion about feminist cities on 5th September, organised by the Royal Society of Edinburgh as part of the Curious festival 2024.
The event entitled "What Does a Feminist City Look Like, and How Far Away Are We in Scotland?" was chaired by Jude Barber (Director at Collective Architecture) and Daisy Narayanan (Public Realm Director at The Crown Estate), and brought together leaders in feminist urban planning, including Dr. May East (UNITAR Fellow), Councillor Holly Bruce (Glasgow City Council) and Professor Suzanne Ewing (University of Edinburgh).
The panel explored how urban spaces can be reimagined to prioritise inclusivity and gender equality. Across the discussion, it was made clear that a feminist city isn’t just a city for women, but a city for all people!
Historically, cities were planned predominantly by men, meaning the needs of women and minority genders were not prioritised or central to their design and development. As we’re looking towards the future of city planning and placemaking, it is important to note that an urban environment designed with the safety and wellbeing of women in mind, will inevitably be a safer and more inclusive space for all groups.
A feminist urban planning isn’t only about women; if spaces are safe for women and children, they’re likely to be safer and more inclusive for everyone. In this sense, a feminist city is truly an inclusive city.
One of the most insightful takeaways was that meaningful change doesn’t always need to come from large-scale projects; even small actions can have a big impact. For example, more evening events in green and public spaces can make public areas feel safer for women.
On a broader scale, the goal is to embed feminist urbanism into future placemaking and planning practices, with impactful changes (such as providing public toilet facilities). The conversation also highlighted the importance of providing concrete strategies for a more inclusive future and as Holly Bruce urged, a great way to start is by joining your local community council—change begins at the local level!
A particularly inspiring example came from Glasgow’s decision in 2022 to embed feminist approaches in city planning, a policy originally championed by Holly Bruce. This bold move serves as an example for other cities looking to create more inclusive and equitable urban environments.
Here are a few more takeaways from the discussion:
Every action counts – No matter how small, local actions can build momentum toward larger systemic change. Suzanne Ewing reminded us that starting small is often the first step to making a difference.
Creativity fuels progress – Imagination and creative thinking are essential tools for driving meaningful action and reimagining cities that work for everyone.
Representation matters – As the saying goes, “You can only be what you see.” Ensuring gender parity in business and culture is essential to fostering inclusive urban spaces.
Data drives change – Gathering data is critical to making the case for inclusion, especially when facing institutional barriers. Evidence is a powerful tool for dismantling blockers.
Education is key – Tackling systemic imbalances requires a strong foundation in education, equipping future generations with the knowledge to create more equitable cities.
Build your community – Lasting change happens when communities unite. Whether it’s through local councils or grassroots initiatives, collaboration is vital.
We would love to hear of any practical examples of feminist urbanism that you have experienced. Just drop us a line at hello@theacd.org.uk