Learn about gender equity & urbanism in the articles we write.
Here you’ll find stories, insights, and updates that reflect the work we’re passionate about. From practical resources to thoughtful reflections, our posts are here to spark ideas, share knowledge, and keep you connected with the conversations shaping our community.
Articles by Topic
How Hostile Architecture Harms Women
Hostile architecture creates exclusionary public environments, typically targeting the most vulnerable populations. This design practice creates spaces that are not comfortable for anyone to pause, linger, or relax in for extended periods of time. Here are six elements of hostile architecture and how they directly and indirectly harm women.
Bumps on Bikes: Cycling Whilst Pregnant
Pregnancy doesn’t have to mean putting down your bike and submitting to a 40-week residency on the sofa. Cycling can be an extremely beneficial activity during the gestational period — when done in a way that works for you and your body. Find out more about how you can get the smoothest journey when riding with your bump.
18 Women Giving to Gain in Urbanism
Across Canada, women are proving that when we give—through mentorship, leadership, and community-building—we all gain stronger cities. Help us celebrate and support just a few this International Women’s Day.
Placemaking for Women
Cities have been designed without women’s experiences in mind for a long time, making public spaces feel unsafe or inaccessible. Placemaking with a gender lens centres women’s daily realities such as care work, mobility needs, and safety concerns. It calls for inclusive and supportive environments shaped through diverse voices. Designing for women ultimately creates cities that work for everyone.
Planning’s Boys’ Club: Alive, Adapted, and Still Holding Power
Urban planning today often presents itself as progressive, portraying itself as the architect of inclusive cities. However, inequalities persist in planning practice. Informed by a survey of women and non-binary professionals in the field, let’s reflect on why the “old boys’ club” still exists, and what we can do about it.
14 Women Accelerating Action in Urbanism
Women across the country are accelerating action toward the cities we want to live in. Help us celebrate and support just a few this International Women’s Day.
How to Design Public Seating for Women
Public seating is critical in creating a welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment that people want to relax and linger in. Here are 8 characteristics of quality public seating that caters to the needs of women, girls, and gender-diverse people.
Women in Urbanism Canada Calls for Minister Sarkaria to Put the Brakes on Bill 212
Women in Urbanism Canada strongly encourages Ontario Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, to put the brakes on Bill 212 and invest in active transportation infrastructure for everyone.
Navigating Motherhood in the City
Navigating the city with a child can be one of the most unexpectedly challenging parts of parenthood due to inaccessibility, lack of infrastructure, and social isolation.
Sleeping Rough: A Gendered Reality
While rarely the face of Canada's homeless crisis, many women experience homelessness. The lived experiences of women who sleep rough differs significantly from those of men. On top of challenges of obtaining basic necessities, women who are unsheltered must also deal with gendered obstacles such as menstruation, threats of violence, and pregnancy.
Celebrating 18 Exceptional Women in Urbanism
Women across the country are making remarkable impacts and progress to transform Canadian cities. Help us celebrate just a few this International Women’s Day.
Gender Issues at the Intersection of Portage and Main
The closure of Portage and Main pedestrian intersection in 1976 remains a contentious and a gendered issue today. Those who advocate for opening the intersection continue to push for improved safety, accessibility, and downtown vibrancy.
Event Recap: Gender-Based Placemaking at Edworthy Park
A brief summary of the virtual workshop Gender-Based Placemaking at Edworthy Park.
Why Public Washrooms aren’t Working for Women
Women have to go to the washroom more frequently, they have to wait in lines longer, and they spend more time using the washroom compared to men. Here are eight reasons why most public washrooms are not working for women.
Babes on Bikes: What to Know About Cycling With Your Little
You may experience an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness, frustration and irritation, accomplishment and defeat, and laughter while biking with your child.
Event Recap: Gender-Based Climate Adaptation at Point Pleasant Park
A brief summary of the virtual workshop, some of the key takeaways, and the video recording.
Creating Gender-Inclusive Parks in Cities
We are excited to announce our three-part virtual workshop series based around themes of sustainability, inclusivity, and placemaking in public parks across Canada.
How 15-Minute Cities Build Feminist Communities
When cities adopt the vision of the 15-minute city, they have the opportunity to create communities that work better for everyone, especially women.
Feminist Cities are for Men Too
Feminist interventions prioritize the needs and experience of women and other equity-deserving groups, while still positively impacting the lives of men.
Next Stop: Improving Bus Safety for Women
The bus can be a hostile environment for many women, which can place limits on their travel choices and behaviours. Transit agencies have various tools at their disposal that can help to improve women’s safety.