Gender Inclusive Urban Planning in Pune City

Abstract

According to reports published by United Nations, migration from smaller cities and towns is one of the main reasons for the urbanization phenomenon and this will further increase in coming years. When cities expand it results in urban sprawls and development of outer areas of the cities that result in long travel time and related distances to jobs, leisure and other activities from the core areas where maximum job opportunities exist. The issue of women's safety at public spaces (areas located in the outskirts of Pune core city) in Pune has come up in sharp focus over the past five years; with increasing media coverage and public outrage at violence faced by women of all social classes and age groups. This paper presents better understanding of gender sensitive issues in the identified areas located in Pune, the concerns of women and safety measures in the urban planning and design that results in encouraging policy makers, planners and urban designers to integrate gender perspective planning strategies in decision making process so as to create a safer, sustainable and inclusive urban development.