Planning Guidelines for a neighborhood by gender mainstreaming approach

Abstract

The rapidly developing society fetched women into its development procedure. A woman is an integral part of any society and is equally responsible for its development. They are multi-tasking and in majority of cases responsible for home making and household chores, bringing up their children, looking after their parents and family, and many are seen to work as well. Ironically, the cities planned and designed do not cater to the needs of the women, since the fact that we do not need spaces alike for men and women, is denied (Women Work City- Vienna, Austria). Since, women have wider range of activities to accomplish and commute to different areas, they have different needs, the planning of spaces require special attention and care, and should involve women’s perspective. Thus, mainstreaming is a way of changing the structure and fabric of the city so that ‘all’ can coexist. Our city planning concepts fail to address the specific needs pertaining to gender, hampering the overall development. Thus, creating unsafe cities for women and neglecting inclusive planning.  The development of women helps in the development of the society, harnessing their productivity for economic development as well. Thus, following reasons concrete the need of the gender mainstreaming  The development is not reaching ‘ALL’. Women form a huge part of any population and if they are left out in the development process, overall development cannot be achieved.  Inclusive Approach is not adopted, thereby secluding a huge part of population from development process. Existing planning restrict itself to consider women related issue only up to planning of parks, open areas and areas surrounding their residences. With the changing social status, women are involved in multiple activities and thus more related with spatial plans. Thus study attempts to find women’s relation with different activities, spaces and time frame with their specific needs. Based on this analysis, the critical areas which can play a significant role in mainstreaming the gender are addressed with respect to the existing norms, 2014 II standards and primary and secondary surveys. The lacuna in the existing physical plan is dealt in the form of suggested guidelines at area level.