Identifying the spatial parameters for differences in gender behaviour in built environments The flâneur and flâneuse of the 21st century

Abstract

The aim of this research is to show how the spatial features of urban environments affect women and men’s behaviour pattern. The paper’s first part reveals the concept flâneuse in the relationship with the flâneur. Then the spatial parameters of built environments are discussed.

As the results from this inquiry show, correlations between the spatial configurative structures and how men and women use urban space were found on the one hand. In spatially integrated streets, an equal number of women and men were found. The more segregated the streets tend to be the more they were dominated by men. On the other hand, as soon as the shops were closed, men dominated the streets. Women are using the street as corridor and not as a destination itself. When women are using the squares in the evening or at night, they are usually accompanied by others. The use of space syntax showed that liveliness could be predicted by the structure of the city. Not only do the crowd provide the flâneuse a valid excuse to wander around the streets, a sense of security, but it’s also a component of flânerie: to see and to be seen. Namely, for the flâneuse liveliness is one of the conditions to stroll around. Hence, knowledge provided from research seems to be essential for designing urban environment attractive for women as well for men.