Publica CIC has launched a new campaign delivering practical tools to address violence against women and girls in the built environment, supported by more than 15 of London’s leading land owners, developers, and Business Improvement Districts. The way we plan and design our cities needs a radical overhaul and this industry-led campaign will provide the essential knowledge, tools, and expertise to transform our cities for all.
September 2022
London’s urban development sector unites to make our streets safer for women and girls
“Since the tragic recent murders of women on our city streets, much investment has involved delivering more CCTV and policing. We know these measures only scratch the surface of what is needed to shift the dial on women’s safety. Our current generation of civic leaders and practitioners urgently need the tools to begin designing truly inclusive and accessible built environments. This means putting women’s voices, experiences, and needs at the heart of design and decision making.”
Dr. Ellie Cosgrave, Director of CIC and Research
This is being supported by Primera, The Portman Estate, New London Architecture, The Howard De Walden Estate, Grosvenor, Helical, Great Portland Estates, Almacantar, The New West End Company, The Northbank BID, Aldgate Connect, Central District Alliance, Hatton Garden BID, Eastern City BID, Fleet Street Quarter, and London HQ.
"I am delighted to have already received such immense support from our colleagues across the sector, which enables us to launch this campaign, apply gender expertise and take bold action across major projects from today. With this level of support, we can make transformative changes together.”
Dr. Ellie Cosgrave, Director of CIC and Research
As we enter the third decade of the 21st century, we are still facing an epidemic of violence against women and girls in our cities. In the UK, nearly 50% of women report feeling unsafe walking alone after dark, rising to over 80% in open spaces. Beyond the most extreme cases of violence, we know that concerns around personal safety are a pervasive everyday experience of women and girls.
Globally, in the last week alone the tragic murders of women in public spaces in Iran and South Korea has been highlighted again, and people are on the streets demanding change.
"Every woman and girl is entitled to be safe, and to feel safe —whatever the time of day and wherever they are in the capital. That's why we have overseen more than €100m investment in tackling violence against women and girls, committed to the UN Women Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces global initiative, and are ensuring violence against women and girls is treated with the utmost urgency both by our police, partners and society as a whole. The Mayor and I welcome this new programme to promote the safety of women and girls in London's built environment and put it at the heart of planning and design in our city."
Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
About the Campaign
The campaign aims to upskill the sector by getting gender expertise in the hands of those who need it; creating opportunities to co-develop innovative solutions; and delivering gender-informed projects across the capital. To do this we are launching three programmes of work:
Knowledge Hub: A one stop shop and engaging platform for research and expertise on gender inclusive urban development
Ambitious Innovation: Curated cross-sector meetings and events to re-imagine safer cities for women and girls together
Action Projects: Demonstrating the possibilities for gender inclusive urban development through practical projects delivered in partnership with developers, local authorities, and communities
There is already consensus on what needs to change, but the expertise is not publicly accessible. It is now time to galvanise our sector, get expertise in the right hands, and deliver real projects, at scale, on the ground. When we actively address gender inequality in cities, we make cities better for all. For example, in making streets and public transport safer for women and girls we improve access to low carbon and active travel, which has a profound impact on pollution level and wellbeing through active lives.
If your organisation would like to pledge your support or partner with us to deliver projects, join our campaign by contacting Ellie Cosgrave.
