"Invisible Women" - Summary

Let's explore the issue of unintentional gender bias in the design of public spaces and infrastructure. Urban planning, often reflecting the experiences of male decision-makers, frequently neglects the unique needs of women, leading to cities that are not as fair as they could be. The predominantly male perspective results in a focus on commuting from home to the work with a car over the "trip-chaining" travel patterns, for example from home to the groceries store, to work, to kindergarden, more common among women.

One example where this can be observed is the prioritization of snow clearing. Traditionally, the focus has been on clearing roads for cars before sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists. However, since women are more likely to use public transit and active transport, such as walking or cycling, they experienced a higher accident rate in winter, attributed predominantly to the precarious conditions of slippery sidewalks, compared to men. A shift in priorities to clear sidewalks first has proven to be more beneficial for women in Swedish cities like Karlskoga. This change not only caters to women's travel needs but also reduces weather-related injuries and healthcare costs.

Another example is the issue of public bathrooms. Bathrooms that allocate equal floor space for men and women may seem fair, but they overlook the differences in biology and toilet needs. Women often face longer wait times, a problem that is worsened when stalls are converted to "gender-neutral" without increasing capacity. The lack of adequate public toilet facilities also disproportionately affects women in poorer countries, leading to safety and health concerns.

In conclusion, more inclusive practices in urban planning based on women's data could improve equity, safety, health, and economic outcomes.