Project Overview

This research project explores the relationship between urban design and the sense of safety experienced by women in Karachi's public spaces. Historically, architecture and urban planning have been male-dominated fields, leading to cities that are often designed with a patriarchal perspective. Karachi, one of the largest cities in the world, is no exception. This project examines how the design of public spaces in Karachi contributes to making these areas inaccessible and unsafe for women. By comparing Karachi's public spaces to more inclusive spaces worldwide, the research aims to identify design changes that could make the city’s public areas safer and more accessible to women.

Tools Used

Literature Review: Examined existing studies on gender, safety, male gaze, eyes on the street, and urban design.

Case Studies: Analyzed public spaces in other cities to understand how inclusive design practices have been implemented.

Interviews: Conducted interviews with government officials and urban planners to understand the considerations behind the design of Karachi’s public spaces. Also conducted online surveys and interviews with women and differently-abled persons to understand their experience of the city.

Field Observations: Studied behavior patterns in Karachi’s public spaces to identify how design impacts women’s sense of safety.

Process

Identifying the Problem: Explored how patriarchal urban design contributes to women’s fear in public spaces, distinguishing between the types of fears experienced by women and men.

Understanding Women’s Fear: Investigated the sources of fear for women in public spaces, considering not just security concerns but also design-related factors.

Objectives: Focused on identifying whether the fear women experience in Karachi's public spaces is solely due to cultural, religious, and security issues, or if design plays a significant role as well. This involved exploring how male-centric urban planning and architecture contribute to these fears, as well as studying simple design aspects like eyes on the street, lighting, placement of trees, width of sidewalks and so on.

Methods and Methodology: Employed interviews, case studies, and field observations to gather data, followed by an analysis of how other cities have addressed similar issues.

Outcome

The project produced a comprehensive analysis demonstrating that the design of Karachi’s public spaces significantly impacts women’s sense of safety. The research provides actionable recommendations for making these spaces more inclusive and accessible, stressing the importance of considering gender-specific needs in urban design. This work adds valuable insights to the limited literature on this topic within the context of Karachi, offering a foundation for future initiatives aimed at improving public space design in the city.

Significance

This research highlighted the importance of incorporating gender-sensitive design in public spaces to make them safer and more accessible for everyone. The research emphasizes the need for design professionals to consider the diverse needs of all genders in urban planning, and give opportunity to female planners to be part of the decision making process.