There is a crucial, yet often overlooked aspect of urban planning: The profound impact of well-designed, community-driven spaces on the lives of all citizens, especially women and marginalised groups. As an urban development professional based in Brussels, I’ve witnessed and contributed to the transformative power of placemaking across diverse global contexts through Cities Alliance, a global partnership dedicated to inclusive urban development. True placemaking means empowering communities to improve their own environments. This isn’t just about physical upgrades; it’s about fostering a sense of ownership and belonging in spaces that are often forgotten or neglected despite their immense significance.

Traditional planning systems frequently overlook the specific needs of women. So it is vital to ensure gender-sensitive urban planning. Consider transportation: Conventional planning prioritises direct A-to-B routes, neglecting the complex, fragmented journeys women often undertake, combining multiple tasks throughout the day. This necessitates a more multi-modal approach, integrating walking, cycling and public transportation, a consideration often absent in current models.

Similarly, public open spaces in many cities where we operate remain male-dominated. This isn’t accidental. Perceptions of safety, comfort and ingrained cultural norms often judge women who linger in public spaces without a “purpose.” We must fundamentally shift our perspective on urban planning and city-making, and gender offers a powerful lens through which to achieve this.

Take, for example, Cities Alliance “Femmedina” programme in Tunisia, currently active in six cities. It engages with historical Medinas, traditionally male-dominated spaces, to understand how women navigate and access the city. Through data collection, the programme has uncovered patterns of movement and identified specific spaces and services that could better respond to women’s needs. This has led to tangible interventions: Dedicated libraries for girls, souks exclusively for women artisans to sell their products and workshops where women can work. This bottom-up approach, engaging residents to develop specific projects, is crucial.

But the work doesn’t stop there. The next vital step is connecting these localised successes to broader planning frameworks. By demonstrating how gender-sensitive spaces are more welcoming and inclusive for everyone—families, children and the elderly—we can integrate these findings into the overall strategic plans for cities.

Furthermore, in countries with centralised planning functions, it’s essential to connect local experiences with national policy. In Tunisia, we’re working to integrate gender components and recommendations into the national urban policy and climate strategy. This is critical because climate change disproportionately impacts women, and our strategies must reflect this reality.

Another impactful example can be seen in Moroccan oases. Here, in small desert towns grappling with severe water scarcity, women are being engaged in restoring and rehabilitating historical water infrastructure—collecting rainwater, rehabilitating sources—and training them in agricultural cooperatives to use water more effectively. The restoration of wash places, which, beyond their practical function, serve as vital community hubs where women gather, converse and connect.

When considering new placemaking initiatives, such as the one being undertaken by small-sized non-governmental organisations, for example, in Novi Sad, Serbia, with limited annual funding, the first step is always community engagement. For a courtyard space, for instance, a small event to gather residents and initiate an open conversation about the space’s potential is invaluable. Showing examples of successful transformations in other cities can inspire a different way of thinking.

Following this, a co-design exercise, even a small one, can be incredibly powerful. This could involve voting on preferred options or even creating a “maquette” where people can physically select elements like green spaces or playgrounds. This direct involvement fosters a sense of ownership and makes fundraising for the execution phase significantly easier. Local businesses, private companies and foundations can all be approached for funding, particularly for pilot projects. Starting small, with one impactful space, can then pave the way for larger initiatives and external funding.

Our experience in Nepal, of Cities Alliance, in collaboration with UNOPS, UN-Habitat, local partners and national ministries, mirrors this step-by-step approach. It begins with a participatory diagnostic phase, mapping women’s access to public open spaces and climate vulnerability.

This generates interactive maps and data that can inform future planning, even if immediate implementation isn’t possible. We also identify gaps in existing planning processes, particularly regarding gender and vulnerable group participation, and provide support to foster broader civic engagement. This leads to the co-creation of specific public spaces, co-funded by municipalities and grants, ensuring local ownership. Finally, there’s a crucial component of knowledge exchange between municipalities and international experiences.

Importantly, our work isn’t just about creating a single public space; it’s a capacity-building process aimed at fostering long-term change. The goal is to equip municipalities with the awareness and skills to adopt a new, more inclusive approach to urban planning for years to come.

In places like Nepal, while there’s a strong tradition of community participation, the process can often lack structure. Municipalities may have the freedom to select which groups participate, leading to a less rigid and potentially imbalanced process. That’s why building capacity in participatory planning and placemaking is crucial; it ensures a more consistent and equitable approach, where every voice has the chance to be heard.

Networking is vital to this process. For example, connecting with a group like Placemaking, which links various placemaking associations, helps prevent a sense of isolation. When a community starts a bottom-up placemaking initiative, it’s essential for them to be connected to a broader network where they can share their experiences and learn from others.

This provides valuable top-down support to grassroots efforts, ensuring that local successes can be scaled and replicated. We must remember that you really need time to create change. It’s important to stay united and to execute something on the ground, not just to be engaged in the process.

Ultimately, creating lasting change requires a sustained effort. A key part of this is focusing on gender and inclusion. We must constantly ask ourselves, “For whom are we doing this?” and “Who will benefit?”

The goal is to ensure that placemaking benefits everyone in the community, not just a select few. By thinking about and acting on the needs of all community members, we can create truly inclusive and vibrant public spaces.