Women’s perspective in pedestrian mobility planning: the case of Brasília

Abstract

Abstract Women’s perspective in pedestrian mobility planning, the central theme of this article, not only aggregates infrastructure and transportation planning, but also cultural issues. This emphasizes the need for urban planners and managers to discuss transport, urban planning, amongst other cross-sectional and systemic themes, recognizing the increasing relevance of addressing gender studies in the urban dynamics of cities. This paper’s central aim is to perceive, in the context of a planned city like Brasilia, in Brazil, pedestrian women’s perspective on the city’s infrastructural and cultural issues, in order to start a discussion on the relationship between women as pedestrians and their territory. This research draws from a study that uses part of the database developed by Adriana Souza. This database was compiled from a questionnaire distributed online in Brazil. In the Federal District, case study of this paper, the questionnaire obtained answers from 233 participants from 18 Administrative Regions. The goal here was to develop a qualitative method analysis regarding the quality of the urban environment from the point of view of local women. The study’s findings revealed that what makes a woman change her path, regardless of where she walks, is the exclusive presence of men in public space, which leaves her insecure. Consequently, it becomes even more natural to conclude that, regardless of cultural, ethnic, social, or age issues, society continues to oppress women in public space, since they still do not find conditions for their autonomy.