The experiences, needs and realities of women, girls and gender diverse people have long been excluded from urban development processes. This has resulted in an under-provision of basic facilities that make public spaces truly accessible as well as an erasure of their experiences in infrastructure investment decisions. As a result, many women, girls and gender diverse people feel inconvenienced, ill-at-ease and endangered in the urban environment.

This report, written for the Mayor’s Good Growth by Design programme, underscores London’s commitment to advancing gender equity and presents tangible actions built environment practitioners can take towards this aim. It presents:

1. A toolkit of questions to guide projects through set-up, understanding, making and using
2. A framework for thinking about women, girls and gender diverse people’s safety in public space
3. Key literature describing the principles of gender inclusive urban design
4. Practical actions that can be taken by project teams to meet gender inclusion ambitions.

The practical actions were tested and trialled across 10 live public realm projects and 19 workshops throughout London, with the support of Mayor’s Design Advocates. Lessons and case studies from these projects demonstrate how a gender inclusive approach can meaningfully shape public space. The guidance was also shared with the GLA through training workshops.

It is essential that those who design, produce and deliver our public spaces and infrastructure feel informed about gender inclusion and can build it into the processes that create our city. This requires all of London’s public realm projects to take concerted action.