SHE-Urbanism: Climate-induced spatial development for women in cities

Extreme heatwaves have devastated millions according to the World Meteorological Organization (2022). Women are most vulnerable to heat causing internal displacement. However, little is known about the severity of global warming or the steps taken to combat it. Exploring climate crisis-induced women-friendly spatial development of neighbourhoods coined as SHE-Urbanism is necessary. Programming climate action in neighbourhoods will reconstruct knowledge gaps and enhance capabilities for women’s access. Overall, it is detrimental to argue the urgency of accelerating inclusive climate action to meet the UN SDG’s.

Disruptions in neighbourhoods exist because temperature increases complicate women’s thermal comfort when mobile. According to C40’s report 80% of women globally are displaced internally by heatwaves (C40.org, 2021) due to socio-economic circumstance and caring responsibilities. Internal displacement occurs when people are forced to leave their home because of conflict, climate change or disasters. Meanwhile, mortality rates are increasing during heatwaves (W4C.org, 2018). Lack of engagement with women residents and current neighbourhood thermal conditions exist as knowledge gaps.

Women are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men, largely because of socio-economic inequities between the two groups. A neighbourhood is defined as a district or community within a city occupied by people (George, F., 2022). The urgency to make neighbourhoods low carbon and women friendly is essential with summer time temperatures peaking above 38°C disrupting outdoor thermal comfort in many localities. Challenges exist in highly-dense neighbourhoods disrupted by the urban canyon effect. Hadid et al. (2000) masterfully married buildings to cities with technological and atheistic treatment of spaces for women. Contemporary approaches on space creation in urban geographies, zoning and building design will deconstruct discourses on women friendly low carbon environments.

Drawing upon Massey, women inhabit space through a myriad of activities (Massey, D., 1994). Massey’s reflections on space correspond with women's thermal comfort, rooting gender in geography and social institutions. Colomina (1992) expressed gender as a function of spatial logic. By eliminating bias Colomina's notion of architecture as is an interaction between women and the metropolitan microclimate space. Gardner and Begault (2019) consider inequality as a result of design and social order. Better design of public spaces and mutual access to resources was found necessary to improve the thermal inequities that exist between men and women. Furthermore, Spivak gave voice to subaltern groups (women, tribal people and the third world) to exert societal influence in the same way that the elitists did, aiming for convenience and comfort in public spaces (Morris, R. and Spivak, G. 2010). Vocal representation is fundamental to cultural expression ensuring women’s needs in public placemaking are met. Added to this, Hall exposed a hierarchy of powers in cultural influence, from the socially elite to the power of the masses. According to Hall (Hall, S. 1997), spatial representation is relevant to economically disadvantaged societies experiencing thermal inequities. Using the theories of Spivak, Gardner, and Begalt, it is compulsory to explore the context of climate action and justice in women's spaces. WC4’s (2018) gender inclusive climate action in cities report emphasized decoding gender in urbanism, but there is still more to be done.

Contributing to the United Nations post 2015 sustainable development agenda is crucial to improving quality of life via the following SDG’s, Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal 13: Climate Action (UN, 2018). Critically tackling contemporary theoretical approaches to spatial development for women is essential. Thorough examination of the interplay between space, gender and demographics will enable cities to rise above the design conundrum, therefore alleviating offenses to climate and women.

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