By Sarah Bell BBC News More women use public transport than menThe UK's towns and cities are designed primarily for men, not women, says a study. So what's the difference?
By Sarah Bell BBC News More women use public transport than menThe UK's towns and cities are designed primarily for men, not women, says a study. So what's the difference?
If a town was designed solely for women, how would it look?
If a town was designed solely for women, how would it look?
If you think it would have more nail bars, shoe shops and coffee shops selling skinny lattes, then think again.
If you think it would have more nail bars, shoe shops and coffee shops selling skinny lattes, then think again.
A study by Cambridge University says planning projects and urban regeneration schemes tend to cater to men better than women, despite the two living their lives differently.
A study by Cambridge University says planning projects and urban regeneration schemes tend to cater to men better than women, despite the two living their lives differently.
Travel is one example. Studies show women make more complex journeys than men, dropping children off at school, going to work, getting the shopping before going home. Urban designers like to be fluid and creative, but the reality is women want to get from one point to another as quickly as possible Dr Clara Greed
Travel is one example. Studies show women make more complex journeys than men, dropping children off at school, going to work, getting the shopping before going home. Urban designers like to be fluid and creative, but the reality is women want to get from one point to another as quickly as possible Dr Clara Greed
In contrast, men tend to just travel straight to work and back again.
In contrast, men tend to just travel straight to work and back again.
Women are also more dependent on public transport, making 75% of bus journeys and only 30% have access to a car in the daytime.
Women are also more dependent on public transport, making 75% of bus journeys and only 30% have access to a car in the daytime.
Echoing complaints made in the past, the report by the university's centre for housing research says poor public transport and a lack of facilities such as schools and crèches near workplaces restrict women's ability to choose where they work.
Echoing complaints made in the past, the report by the university's centre for housing research says poor public transport and a lack of facilities such as schools and creches near workplaces restrict women's ability to choose where they work.
"There should be mixed developments where people are living, working, where there are schools, and shops close together," says Dr Gemma Burgess, who conducted the study.
"There should be mixed developments where people are living, working, where there are schools, and shops close together," says Dr Gemma Burgess, who conducted the study.
"Women tend to worry about their safety at night more and want better lighting in public spaces. Others find pavements difficult for buggies," she said. "They are problems which affect us every day."
"Women tend to worry about their safety at night more and want better lighting in public spaces. Others find pavements difficult for buggies," she said. "They are problems which affect us every day."
Lack of toilets
Lack of toilets
Dr Clara Greed, professor of inclusive urban planning at the University of the West of England, agreed that better street design would help to make women feel safer.
Dr Clara Greed, professor of inclusive urban planning at the University of the West of England, agreed that better street design would help to make women feel safer.
"Footpaths shouldn't be backed onto by high walls and fences. They shouldn't be designed so they create blind corners," she says.
"Footpaths shouldn't be backed onto by high walls and fences. They shouldn't be designed so they create blind corners," she says.
"Urban designers like to be fluid and creative, but the reality is women want to get from one point to another as quickly as possible."
"Urban designers like to be fluid and creative, but the reality is women want to get from one point to another as quickly as possible."
Playing fields and open spaces were another area determined by male priorities, she says.Women want parks with duck ponds, not football pitches, says Dr Greed
Playing fields and open spaces were another area determined by male priorities, she says.Women want parks with duck ponds, not football pitches, says Dr Greed
"There is an emphasis on great swathes of grass for playing fields on which men play games. Women want more parks near to their homes, with things like duck ponds and plants."
"There is an emphasis on great swathes of grass for playing fields on which men play games. Women want more parks near to their homes, with things like duck ponds and plants."
But Dr Greed's key battleground is on public toilets. She says many women have said their closure is a big problem.
But Dr Greed's key battleground is on public toilets. She says many women have said their closure is a big problem.
"It's a fundamental thing. If people are out, and want to go, they're stuck. It's the missing link," she says.
"It's a fundamental thing. If people are out, and want to go, they're stuck. It's the missing link," she says.
New housing developments are also presenting problems for young families. The current demand for high density developments means 40% of new properties being built are flats, with no lifts, small gardens and shared entrances.
New housing developments are also presenting problems for young families. The current demand for high density developments means 40% of new properties being built are flats, with no lifts, small gardens and shared entrances.
"It's like the problem we had 30 years ago with council tower blocks with no lifts. They never seem to learn. Now they are building privately, with the same problems."
"It's like the problem we had 30 years ago with council tower blocks with no lifts. They never seem to learn. Now they are building privately, with the same problems."
Women 'ignored'
Women 'ignored'
Public authorities have been required to promote equality when making decisions since the Gender Equality Duty was introduced in 2007.
Public authorities have been required to promote equality when making decisions since the Gender Equality Duty was introduced in 2007.
Dr Burgess did uncover examples of good practice. New ways of assessing gender equality in planning schemes have been introduced by the London Borough of Lewisham.
Dr Burgess did uncover examples of good practice. New ways of assessing gender equality in planning schemes have been introduced by the London Borough of Lewisham.
It means the council has changed its approach when positioning new business developments, now ensuring women have more opportunities close to home.
It means the council has changed its approach when positioning new business developments, now ensuring women have more opportunities close to home.
And a group of women were recruited by designers in a south Yorkshire local authority to walk around an area with designers. Their comments were included in a planning brief.
And a group of women were recruited by designers in a south Yorkshire local authority to walk around an area with designers. Their comments were included in a planning brief.
But the research by Dr Burgess showed the vast majority of planners were still ignoring, or unaware of how to implement the legislation. Most people will strive for idealism, where work is close to childcare, but it's not necessarily a question of the design not fitting Catherine PhillipsMumsnet
But the research by Dr Burgess showed the vast majority of planners were still ignoring, or unaware of how to implement the legislation. Most people will strive for idealism, where work is close to childcare, but it's not necessarily a question of the design not fitting Catherine PhillipsMumsnet
"Gender is still a relatively 'new' consideration for planners and local authorities," she says. "There is still a long way to go before the real potential for change will be realised."
"Gender is still a relatively 'new' consideration for planners and local authorities," she says. "There is still a long way to go before the real potential for change will be realised."
But Catherine Phillips, editor of online forum mumsnet, says the problems faced by women may not be down to poor town planning.
But Catherine Phillips, editor of online forum mumsnet, says the problems faced by women may not be down to poor town planning.
"Most people will strive for idealism, where work is close to childcare, but it's not necessarily a question of the design not fitting."
"Most people will strive for idealism, where work is close to childcare, but it's not necessarily a question of the design not fitting."
For example, nurseries opening at 8am means there's only a short space of time to fight rush-hour traffic and get to work, while parked cars obstructing buggies could be the fault of nurseries not providing enough parking places.
For example, nurseries opening at 8am means there's only a short space of time to fight rush-hour traffic and get to work, while parked cars obstructing buggies could be the fault of nurseries not providing enough parking places.
Other complaints include uneven pavements and poor lighting, says Ms Phillips, although public toilet provision was not such a big issue because mothers (and fathers) tended to plan rest stops in advance.
Other complaints include uneven pavements and poor lighting, says Ms Phillips, although public toilet provision was not such a big issue because mothers (and fathers) tended to plan rest stops in advance.
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