Waging a War; Place-makers on the Frontline
“Gender equality is the goal that will help abolish poverty, that will create more equal economies, fairer societies, and happier men, women, and children.” Graça Machel (2015)
As a former freedom fighter, prominent educator, and philanthropist, Machel was the only woman in modern times to serve as the first lady of two nations – Mozambique and South Africa (Zuber, 2022). Here, Machel alludes to the globality of our war for gender equality. Her proposition highlights the complexity and global significance of this war. However, attempting to address it in its entirety would take volumes. Instead, I consider a more nuanced and tangible issue. A battle within the war. This is the battle of female safety in the built environment (see figure 1). So, let’s begin with an event that shocked the nation.
Figure 1 – Women and the Fight Against Violence.
Fighting a Losing Battle
Imagine it’s midweek. You’ve had a hard day at work. Eagerly rushing to a friend’s house, you’re in the pursuit of some Wednesday night downtime. Drinks are flowing and laughs are being shared. Time moves on and it’s getting late. You agree that ‘you should do this more’ and that ‘it was fun’ as you gather your things to go. As you leave, you crack a smile, express your thanks, and embark on your short walk home. Does this sound all too familiar? For many of us UK socialites, this is a regular occurrence. However, on the 3rd of March 2021, this midweek affair landed Sarah Everard on the receiving end of a gruesome murder. This is a battle lost not only for her loved ones and friends, but for society as a whole.
We can do more. We need to do more. Such atrocities have reignited a national conversation about the safety of women and girls in Britain (Gilder and Clarke, 2022). My contribution therefore lies in what follows. As Urban Designers, I believe we are on the frontline of this battle to provide female-friendly places. Poised and prepared, we have the power of the built environment at our disposal. Thus, let the undeserving victims serve as a poignant reminder of our national endeavour to create safer places for not only women, but for all of us in the UK.
Tough Times Never Last, Tough Places Do
Figure 2 – Active Frontage Enhancing Visibility and Creating 24/7 Spaces.
Coining the term ‘eyes on the street’, Jane Jacobs (1961) suggests visibility is crucial in our fight for safer streets. One strategy that can facilitate this is active frontages and 24/7 spaces (see figure 2). The fenestration and co-presence of people creates natural surveillance and significantly mitigates crime. In his well acclaimed theory of ‘space syntax’, Bill Hillier (1976) considers this idea. Hillier argues that a virtual community consists of the natural co-presence of people – whether conscious or unconscious. Here, Hillier’s ‘space syntax’ substantiates Jacobs’ ‘sidewalk ballet’. Active frontages and 24/7 spaces serve as urban weapons in our design arsenal. Ultimately, the presence of people on the street enhances safety.
Diversifying our weaponry, tech provides autonomous visibility. Thus, with the advent of surveillance (CCTV), alarm systems and artificial lighting, there should no longer be a corner of the city unmanned (see figure 3).
Figure 3 – Tech based surveillance.
The murder of Sarah Everard serves as a stark reminder of why our conflict with crime must generate safer streets. We have the capacity to provide active, visible and safer public spaces by using safety strategies such as those described above.
As it stands, we may have lost some battles, but we have not lost the war.
List of Figures
Figure 1 – Women and the Fight Against Violence.
Figure 2 – Active Frontage Enhancing Visibility and Creating 24/7 Spaces.
Figure 3 – Tech Based Surveillance.
References
Gilder, L., & Clarke, J (2022) How many violent attacks and sexual assaults on women are there? BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-56365412 (Accessed: 2nd May 2022).
Hillier, B. et al (1976). Space syntax. Environment and Planning B: Planning and design, 3(2), pp.147-185. https://doi.org/10.1068/b030147
Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Random House.
Machel, G (2015) The Unfinished Business of Girls’ Rights. Because I am a Girl. The state of the world’s girls 2015. Available at: https://issuu.com/plannederland/docs/biaag_2015_the_unfinished_business_ (Accessed: 20th April 2022)
Zuber, D (2022) Graca Machel (1945- ). BlackPast.org. Available at: https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/people-global-african-history/graca-machel-1945/ (Accessed: 24th April 2022).
