Urban planners urged to centre women's needs in India's city design

Urban planners and policy experts gathered for a UN Women-led consultation have advocated for a fundamental reimagining of how Indian cities are designed, placing women's equal participation and access at the centre of decision-making processes.

The consultation marked a deliberate departure from conventional safety-focused approaches that have traditionally dominated urban planning discussions. Rather than treating women's safety solely as a protection issue requiring barriers and restrictions, experts emphasised the need to create inclusive public spaces where women can move freely and participate fully in city life.

Participants highlighted that women should not be passive recipients of urban design decisions but active stakeholders with genuine influence over how their cities are shaped. This requires integrating women's perspectives into all stages of urban planning, from infrastructure development to public transport systems and community spaces.

The shift towards a women-centric framework reflects growing recognition that sustainable and equitable cities cannot be achieved without addressing the specific needs and aspirations of female residents. Experts noted that when women have genuine agency in urban planning, the resulting cities benefit all residents through improved accessibility, safety, and quality of public spaces.

The consultation underscores ongoing efforts to transform India's urban development approach, signalling that future city planning must prioritise not just women's protection, but their empowerment and equal participation in shaping shared urban environments.