How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas

Over half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, signifying the urgency for creating inclusive and safe living spaces for all. Addressing gender inequality in urban areas is a vital part of this effort. In Umeå, Sweden, the city government has implemented measures to integrate gender perspective in its urban development through citizen participation.

Gender Inequality in Urban Areas

There is a vast difference between how women and men experience cities. For instance, studies show that women around the world experience much more crime and harassment in urban spaces than men, often on their commute to school or work. This creates a higher level of fear in public space among women, which may limit their mobility and opportunities.

Data in several countries show that women are associating urban space as a danger and economically unequal. Around 47% of women surveyed in Jordan had lost a job opportunity due to unaccessible public transport and public sexual harassment. In New York City, many women have to spend around US$26-50 extra on transport monthly for safety reasons.

If traced back, the issues of gender inequality in urban areas are rooted in traditional gender roles that tend to associate women with private spaces and affairs. As a result, public spaces often lack consideration about women and girls’ needs, including infrastructure designs that are often male-inclined, as well as lack of safe public bathrooms and adequate lighting on the streets and other public areas.

Umeå’s Gender Landscape Framework

Addressing issues of gender inequality in urban areas is a significant part in ensuring a safe, inclusive, and accessible city. In Sweden, for instance, the city of Umeå has been making efforts to integrate gender equality as the basis of the city’s development.

Under the ‘Gender Landscape’ framework, the city government and organizations in Umeå have built the city infrastructures to accomodate the needs of women and girls. One of them is the Lev Tunnel that  connects the city center with the train station and the local neighbourhood.  The tunnel was designed with adequate lighting, rounded corners, multiple exits, and no pillars to ensure openness and safety for all residents, especially women.

Another example is the Free Zone Park (“Frizon”), whose design process involves the participation of girls to understand their perspectives, needs, and expectations on public spaces in Umeå.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Gender equality work must be rooted in an understanding of the local context, providing a comprehensive grasp of how gender inequality manifests in a specific locale,” said Annika Dalén, the gender equality officer of Umeå.

A Safe, Inclusive, and Accessible City

Supporting gender equality in various sectors is an integral part of sustainable development, which thrives in the spirit of leaving no one behind. As cities have become the symbol of home and opportunities for billions of people around the world, city governments have the responsibility to address gender inequality in urban areas.

Continuing to raise awareness on the intersectionality of gender issues, equipping government officials and related stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to approach the issue with care, and reinforcing the commitment to implement the agenda across office periods are some of the ways to support gender equality in urban areas. Last but not least, placing women as decision-makers, policymakers, urban planners, and municipality officials is a systemically meaningful way to build inclusive, gender-responsive cities.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma