Reclaiming Space - Episode 4 - Who Gets to Shape Our Cities?

Who designs our cities? Whose experiences shape our streets, transport systems and public spaces? And who gets left out? In Episode 4 of Reclaiming Space, hosts ElsaMarie D'Silva and Holly Kearl explore how urban planning and design can make cities safer, more inclusive and more welcoming for women and girls. Joining us are two changemakers working to rethink how cities are planned: Prathima Manohar, founder of The Urban Vision and GoodPass, whose work focuses on creating more inclusive, accessible and people-centred urban environments. Kajal Antil, a strategic urban planner based in Sydney and former Safecity youth organiser, who brings experience in community engagement and gender-responsive urban planning. From poorly lit streets and unsafe transport connections to public spaces that overlook women's everyday experiences, the way cities are designed has a profound impact on who feels welcome and who feels excluded. In this conversation, we explore: Why urban planning has historically overlooked women's experiences. How design choices influence perceptions of safety and freedom of movement. The importance of including women and girls in planning decisions. How community participation can transform public spaces. What gender-responsive urban planning looks like in practice. How we can move from designing cities FOR women to designing cities WITH women. A truly inclusive city isn't one where women have simply learned to avoid danger. It's one where they can participate fully, freely and without fear. 🎙️ Reclaiming Space is a podcast from Red Dot Foundation Global, exploring the people, ideas and innovations helping women reclaim their right to public space. 🌐 Learn more about our work: https://reddotfoundation.org/ Subscribe for more conversations on gender equality, urban design, activism and safer cities. #ReclaimingSpace #GenderResponsivePlanning #UrbanDesign #WomensSafety #InclusiveCities #SaferCities #GenderEquality #WomenInUrbanPlanning