Σχεδιάζοντας για όλες: Η οπτική του φύλου στο χώρο της ελληνικής πόλης

Over the last twenty years, there has been a growing global focus on gender equality, which is considered a significant step forward. With the integration of gender equality into the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, various international organizations have advocated the identification of strategies in different sectors to gradually achieve human rights and gender equality for all women and girls. Cities have emerged as places that offer opportunities for women's empowerment through work, education, and networking.
The dominant discourse on gender, whether centered around the binary of male/female or extended to other gender identities, has triggered broader discussions and actions towards equality. However, despite these positive steps, it has not eradicated inequalities in areas such as employment, healthcare, leadership positions, housing, and unpaid labor. Conversely, urban spaces, designed predominantly through male-centered models, can still perpetuate inequalities. This raises questions about whether gender equality will remain an elusive goal.
In Greece, despite legal provisions for gender equality, there are many aspects of life where gender issues are marginalized, and discrimination and inequalities persist. Local governments have recently incorporated gender policies to align with international standards and seek funding, but challenges remain due to the lack of comprehensive gender-related data. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have brought new considerations to urban space, infrastructure, mobility, services, and gender inequalities. Within this context, the report explores feminist urban planning and the way it emphasizes the importance of gender-responsive urban design that caters to the needs, expectations, and desires of women and other subjectivities, acknowledging their contributions in shaping urban spaces and the obligation of the urban realm to include all its residences and users.
The report aims to present a comprehensive view of the intersection between the city and gender, encompassing various scales, from governance and national policies to everyday life. It underscores the need for inclusive participation, considering diverse social groups, and collecting and processing gender-disaggregated data. By doing so, urban spaces can become sites of transformation, benefitting all individuals and fostering social change toward gender equality. The report also provides examples of initiatives from a variety of countries that can serve as inspiration and starting points for change. Ultimately, it emphasizes that the visions of the inclusive city and the city of care should not remain utopian ideals but should be translated into action. Participatory tools not only provide decision-makers with data but also empower city residents to envision and claim their right to the city.