Grosvenor, the Portman Estate, Great Portland Estates and Almacantar are among the London property players that have signed up to a new campaign to address violence against women and girls in the built environment.
The campaign, which has been welcomed by London’s mayor and deputy mayor for policing and crime, is being launched today (28 September) by Publica, the London-based urban design and public realm practice, and led by Ellie Cosgrave, director of Publica’s community interest company and research.
It aims to deliver essential knowledge, tools, and expertise to transform cities for all. In the UK, nearly 50% of women report feeling unsafe walking alone after dark, rising to more than 80% in open spaces. Beyond the most extreme cases of violence, Publica said concerns around personal safety remained a pervasive everyday experience of women and girls.
Cosgrave said: “Since the tragic recent murders of women on our city streets, much investment has involved delivering more CCTV and policing. We know these measures only scratch the surface of what is needed to shift the dial on women’s safety. Our current generation of civic leaders and practitioners urgently need the tools to begin designing truly inclusive and accessible built environments. This means putting women’s voices, experiences, and needs at the heart of design and decision making.”
The campaign’s programme of work will include practical projects delivered in partnership with developers, local authorities, and communities. It hopes these will demonstrate the possibilities for gender-inclusive urban development.
Its two other strands of work are: creating a knowledge hub to provide a one-stop shop and engaging platform for research and expertise on gender inclusive urban development; and fostering innovation through cross-sector meetings and events to reimagine safer cities for women and girls.
Landed estates Grosvenor, Portman and Howard de Walden and developers Helical, GPE and Almacantar have already signed up to the campaign. It also has the support of business improvement districts including New West Company, Northbank, Aldgate Connect, EC, Fleet Street Quarter, CDA and Hatton Garden, as well as London Heritage Quarter, which comprises four of Westminster’s BIDs. Research and discussion forum New London Architecture and regeneration consultancy Primera are also backing the campaign. More supporters and would-be partners are invited to get involved.
The campaign hopes to highlight how addressing gender inequality in cities will help to make cities better for all. For example, making streets and public transport safer for women and girls means improving access to low-carbon and active travel, which in turn improves pollution levels and wellbeing.
The deputy mayor for policing and crime, Sophie Linden, said: “Every woman and girl is entitled to be safe, and to feel safe – whatever the time of day and wherever they are in the capital. That’s why we have overseen more than £100m investment in tackling violence against women and girls, committed to the UN Women Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces global initiative, and are ensuring violence against women and girls is treated with the utmost urgency both by our police, partners and society as a whole.
“The mayor and I welcome this new programme to promote the safety of woman and girls in London’s built environment and put it at the heart of planning and design in our city.”
What the campaign’s supporters are saying
Simon Loomes, strategic projects director at the Portman Estate, said: “As we retrofit better access and amenity into our existing infrastructure, we can only be successful if we properly understand the issues related to gender inclusion. Filling the knowledge gap which exists around this subject will help to resolve conflicts which exist for women, especially in the night-time economy.
“Safeguarding our communities is at the centre of what we do. The Portman Estate is delighted to be sponsoring this important study into women’s safety in public realm design.”
Andrea Merrington, director of planning and engagement at Great Portland Estates, said: “We are proud to support this worthy programme, as we recognise that the impact will be far reaching and beneficial to all.”
Matthew Bonning-Snook, property director at Helical, said: “We are very aware of the impact that the built environment can have on the safety and wellbeing of all people, particularly women. As such we are delighted to support Publica’s initiative and hope that our contribution can play a part in tackling this crucially important issue.”
Nick McKeogh, chief executive at NLA, said: “This new initiative from Publica is vital and timely. NLA’s mission is to bring people together to shape a better city for everyone, and we wholeheartedly support the ambition of this programme to deliver gender inclusive urban design and development.”
Kathrin Hersel, executive director at Almacantar, said: “Keeping our cities safe for all has always been a priority, and it is vital that as developers and landlords we activate our public spaces to provide safe environments which contribute to the health and wellbeing of London’s residents.”
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