I couldn't think of a more appropriate way to start the new Women in Planning + Development Blog!
The Atlantic posted this article by Clare Foran, How to Design a City for Women.
"Sidewalks were widened so pedestrians could navigate narrow streets. And a massive staircase with a ramp running through the middle was installed... to make crossing easier for people with strollers and individuals using a walker or a wheelchair."
"Gender mainstreaming has been in place in the Austrian capital since the early 1990s. In practice, this means city administrators create laws, rules and regulations that benefit men and women equally. The goal is to provide equal access to city resources. And so far, officials say it's working."
"Women-Work-City was built with this in mind. It consists of a series of apartment buildings surrounded by courtyards. Circular, grassy areas dot the courtyards, allowing parents and children to spend time outside without having to go far from home. The complex has an on-site kindergarten, pharmacy and doctor’s office. It also stands in close proximity to public transit to make running errands and getting to school and work easier."
Has anyone been to Austria? Did this planning stand out?
