No. 10 (2013): What "gender" city for the future

The emerging challenges for the city of the 21st century are the growing urbanization of the world's population, extensive poverty and climate change, as stated in some international declarations (UN). The spatial strategies of international organizations and national governments promote the sustainable development of territories linking economic growth to the need for more efficient, inclusive and fair cities. According to these objectives, it is necessary to design cities able to effectively meet the needs of its inhabitants' everyday life: men and women, at different stages of their life from childhood and youth, until the old age. Since the way city users live their environment is various, the physical structure and functions of the city and its territory impact differently on people.

Just during the last two decades the gender perspective in planning has been trying to establish itself in urban practices. Such themes as mixité of urban uses, facilities accessibility, urban times policies, safety of public spaces, transport systems efficiency, participation of local communities have been developed  through the cultural sensitivity introduced by the gender approach. A lot of these issues are broadly known but not systematically and effectively addressed through  adequate planning policies and techniques.

The journal TRIA, by this issue, collected ideas, case studies, surveys, plans, experiences describing the current practices and suggesting a reflection on the efficiency of the city, with reference to the new challenges posed by the growing urbanization in the world, highlighting the need for a gender sensitive planning for the construction of the city in the future.