Urban mobility is often designed with a “one-size-fits-all” approach, but gender, disability, and other social factors significantly shape people’s experiences of moving through a city. On 5 March, URBACT hosted a webinar titled “Gender-inclusive mobility in cities”, which explored these issues, aiming to foster more inclusive urban spaces.
Unpacking gender bias in mobility
The webinar, delivered by URBACT expert, Ph.D. Arch. Iris Popescu, kicked off with an interactive exercise, encouraging participants to reflect on their unconscious biases about gender and mobility, showing that spaces and transportation systems frequently exclude individuals by failing to consider diverse needs.
Real-life perspectives and case studies: stories of exclusion and adaptation and learning opportunities from global best practices
Three guest speakers shared personal experiences, shedding light on these challenges: Irina Cosescu, a blind IT engineer from Oslo, Oana Paval, an architect on maternity leave in Bucharest and Toni, a facilitator from Gotland, reflected on their experiences navigating public spaces; from overlooked needs of caregivers and parents to safety measures that often fail to accommodate gender-diverse people.
The discussion also featured several case studies showcasing innovative approaches to gender-inclusive mobility: Vienna’s Gender Budgeting Initiative, SIT FLEXI Demand-Responsive Transport Solution, Paris’ Night Bus Safety Initiative and Mexico City’s Vive Segura App, among others.
Moving forward: what can cities do?
The session concluded with a discussion on actionable solutions. Some recommendations included:
• Implementing gender-sensitive urban planning that considers diverse mobility needs.
• Enhancing safety measures such as better street lighting, increased surveillance, and more responsive transport services.
• Prioritising the voices of caregivers, gender-diverse individuals, and persons with disabilities in transport policy-making.
• Using technology to bridge accessibility gaps, from mobile apps to AI-driven safety monitoring.
The future of inclusive mobility
While mobility challenges differ based on gender, age, and other social factors, one thing remains clear: inclusive urban planning is not optional—it is essential. As cities invest in public transport and infrastructure, integrating gender-sensitive and accessibility-focused design will create safer, more equitable spaces for all.
Couldn’t follow the webinar? Watch the recording and consult the useful links and resources here and read more on the URBACT Gender Equality Knowledge Hub!