Responsive, Inclusive, Safe & Equitable Spaces A Framework for Caring Cities

SHE RISES: Responsive, Inclusive, Safe & Equitable Spaces is a framework aimed at creating cities that are designed and managed to meet the needs of all people, particularly focusing on gender-sensitive urban planning. This framework promotes the idea of Caring Cities, which prioritize the well-being, safety, and equitable access for women, children, and other vulnerable groups. The core elements of the SHE RISES framework are as follows:

1. Responsive

A responsive city adapts to the evolving needs of its inhabitants, especially women and marginalized groups, ensuring that urban services and infrastructure are flexible and capable of adjusting to social, economic, and environmental changes.

• Needs Assessment: Continuously assess the needs of women and vulnerable populations in public services, housing, and transportation.
• Flexible Infrastructure: Implement flexible design in public spaces and services to accommodate changing demographics, emergencies, and diverse user needs.
• Public Participation: Engage women and marginalized communities in urban planning processes to ensure that their voices are heard and reflected in decision-making.

2. Inclusive

An inclusive city ensures that everyone, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or ability, has equal access to opportunities and services.

• Universal Access: Create infrastructure that is accessible to all, including persons with disabilities, elderly individuals, and children.
• Gender-Inclusive Planning: Design urban spaces with features that promote the safety, comfort, and participation of women, such as well-lit streets, childcare facilities, and transportation systems that support diverse commuting patterns.
• Affordable Services: Provide affordable housing, healthcare, education, and childcare services to support low-income families and women-headed households.

3. Safe

A safe city is one where every resident, particularly women and vulnerable groups, can move freely and without fear of violence, harassment, or discrimination.

• Safety in Public Spaces: Ensure that public spaces, parks, streets, and transportation systems are designed to reduce risks of gender-based violence through better lighting, surveillance, and visibility.
• Community Policing: Promote safety through community-driven policing strategies that prioritize women’s safety concerns and address gender-based violence in both private and public spaces.
• Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate the public on the importance of safety, with a focus on reducing harassment, assault, and domestic violence.

4. Equitable

An equitable city ensures that resources and opportunities are distributed fairly, addressing inequalities and ensuring that marginalized communities have the same opportunities as others.

• Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Allocate city resources in a way that prioritizes the needs of women, such as investing in maternal healthcare, affordable housing, and gender-sensitive public services.
• Equal Employment Opportunities: Ensure that women have equal access to jobs in both the formal and informal economy by creating safe working environments and policies that support work-life balance.
• Housing Equity: Provide affordable housing options and secure tenure for women, especially those in vulnerable situations such as single mothers or those facing domestic violence.

Framework for Caring Cities

The SHE RISES framework is part of the broader Caring Cities concept, which centers on creating urban environments that support the well-being and care needs of all inhabitants. A Caring City is:

• People-Centric: The city’s design and policies are centered on the needs of its residents, particularly the most vulnerable, promoting care and community over individualism and profit-driven growth.
• Sustainable: It focuses on sustainable urban living, with attention to environmental stewardship and resilience against climate change, especially for communities disproportionately affected by these issues.
• Collaborative: Caring Cities involve partnerships between governments, civil society, and local communities to co-create solutions for urban challenges, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to shaping the city’s future.

Key Objectives of SHE RISES

• Promote gender equality in urban development, ensuring that city spaces and services are designed with women’s unique needs in mind.
• Foster inclusivity by making cities accessible to all residents, especially the most vulnerable.
• Enhance safety for women and girls in public and private spaces.
• Achieve equity in resource distribution, ensuring that everyone benefits from the city’s growth and development.

By adopting the SHE RISES framework, cities can become more caring and provide an environment where all residents, regardless of gender or background, can thrive in safe, inclusive, and equitable urban spaces.

source :

https://www.thegpsc.org/knowledge-products/gender-and-cities/she-rises-framework-caring-cities