The Gendered City

by Nourhan Bassam

“Most writers write to say something about other people—and it doesn’t last. Good writers write to find out about themselves, and it lasts forever.” Gloria Steinem in “Revolution from Within”.

If there's a song you need to listen to that no one has sung, become it. What about the songs that have yet to be written? Those unique tunes, whether harmonious or unconventional, that have yet to be heard? I firmly believe that each of us carries a distinctive song within, waiting to be sung. Sometimes, it lies buried deep within our souls, drowned out by the clamor and chaos of life. Other times, it rests at the surface, yearning for us to find the courage to set it free. To me, that song has remained a constant hum, an ever-present sound about the gendered nature of cities, the deep-rooted biases, and the unequal realities faced by women worldwide. Cities can be riddled with inequality and injustice, particularly for women. The gendered city represents a melody often disregarded or silenced, yet it echoes the struggles and experiences of women in all urban contexts. Personally, I have encountered various challenges and barriers in my urban life, navigating conflicts rooted in my gender, ethnicity, class, and culture. I have realized that cities are far from being neutral; instead, they mirror the inequalities and power structures prevalent in society.

My story, along with the diverse narratives of women in this book, serve as a reminder that we must envision a better world and work tirelessly to actualize it. Historically, cities have been planned and designed to reinforce traditional gender roles and a gendered division of labor. The segregation of public and private spaces has limited the access of women, girls, and other marginalized groups to the public sphere, perpetuating gendered power dynamics within urban environments. Consequently, cities have become unwelcoming and exclusive spaces for women and girls.

The Gendered City book aims to illuminate the intricate richness and complexities of urban lives by exploring the experiences of diverse groups, encompassing women, men, and various identities. Through this exploration, we seek to understand the interconnectedness between urban environments and gendered experiences. Employing an intersectional feminist lens to analyze the physical structures of the built environment. Dismantling gender as a rigid category and examining how it influences our interactions and encounters with the world. Gender is not an immutable or homogeneous construct; it intersects with other social categories such as race, class, and sexuality. This intersectionality reveals how these diverse identity dimensions overlap and intersect, resulting in unique experiences of oppression and privilege for individuals.

Drawing inspiration from those who have paved the way, we aspire to a world where individuals can thrive irrespective of their gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or background. We envision cities as places of hope, potential, transformation, and innovation.

Genres: Urbanism

132 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2023

About the author

Dr. Nourhan Bassam is a feminist urbanist, architect, and educator with a Ph.D. in Urban Design and Placemaking. She is the visionary founder of The Gendered City, an international organization dedicated to advancing just and gender-equal cities. Her work bridges theory, practice, and activism, and she is widely recognized for pushing the boundaries of how cities can and must be reimagined through a feminist lens.

Through The Gendered City and the FEM.DES global network, Nourhan currently supports 500+ experts in the process of transforming urban spaces across 35 countries. Her projects, that boost inclusion and gender needs awareness, include Women After Dark, FEM.Atlas, and the Feminist Placemaking programme, which prioritise social sustainability and intersectionality as a core pillar of urban development by aiming to improve security, night-time safety, mobility, and community wellbeing.

Reviews

[Emma Arnold]

I like the term “genderfication” because it parallels “gentrification,” but it doesn’t seem to be discussed as much (why might that be, I wonder?).

(Strasne vela opakovaciek-trochu ma to hnevalo)

(Autorku som stretla s dvoma piukami v ruke, a upe sme pokecali hihi)

[Andrea Lama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gendered City explores the flaws in how cities are designed and governed, while offering solutions and new ways of thinking to create urban spaces that better serve women and underrepresented communities. The book challenges patriarchal systems and encourages women to speak up and claim their place in shaping the future of cities.

While the process of change is long and often uncomfortable, the author conveys a message of hope, even in the face of the dangers and challenges that women experience in today's urban environments. The narrative is filled with insightful knowledge and thought-provoking quotes that inspire reflection and encourage readers to explore the works of the cited authors.