Designing safe urban spaces for women for civil rights

The formation and growth of Iran’s cities generally depend on two factors: organic growthand planned growth. It can be said that two factors of men and nature were involved in theformation and development of cities. Unfortunately needs of women as half of urban residentsare ignored and it is not only about feminine aspect of cities but men, children and seniors feelmore at ease in the city. It is like home atmosphere that is relaxing for all family members.This research is an applied research in term of goal and in term of research methodology isdescriptive-analytic and documentary analysis and going to concerned organizations are usedfor data collection. Findings suggest that in the recent years women and men haveexperienced city space in different ways and women don’t enjoy city space as well as men do.Although urban spaces are open to everyone by law, in many cases, women receive secretmessages through which they realized they are not allowed to enter some spaces. Suchconsiderations affect the way women enjoy urban city. But through physical and socialintervention in parallel we can affect public opinion about city space and enhance women'senjoyment of these spaces and their perception of their surroundings and provide opportunityfor their participation in the city. One of stimulating factors is women themselves as citizens.They are thoroughly aware of problems of their presence in city and if they work inpartnership with planners, they can provide a secure environment for themselves and theirfamily. Research results as for security show that design of our cities is male-centered thatcreates a feeling of insecurity and causes social, cultural and psychological problems andaffects strata of society. At the end of this study, solutions to better design of urban space hasbeen provided.

Keywords:

civil rights , women , security , citizen , urban spaces , gender , urban design