Contentious Cities offers unique interdisciplinary approaches to understanding gendered spatial equity in the urban environment. Positioning design as a central component in how cities produce, construct, represent and materialise gendered spatial practices, it brings together practice and theory to critique, question and enable solutions that challenge the root causes of gender inequalities in cities. Through a rich array of case-studies, practice-led interventions, and historical and theoretical perspectives, it examines important issues that affect the ways in which women, and people of diverse gender and sexual identities experience and participate in cities. Thematically organised, it considers problems of street-harassment, heterosexualisation and equity in access and mobility, together with modes of segregation, isolation and discrimination, as well as processes of resistance, intervention and agency. Grounded in feminist and queer methods of analysis, the book offers new insights regarding the representation of cities, the lived experience of cities, and how design-tactics and approaches might affect the ways cities shape and regulate how women and people of diverse gender and sexual identity inhabit, occupy and move through the city. An examination of the ways in which design might shift toward safer and more inclusive cities, Contentious Cities will appeal to scholars of sociology, gender studies and urban studies, as well as those working in the fields of urban planning and design.

Contentious Cities offers unique interdisciplinary approaches to understanding gendered spatial equity in the urban environment. Positioning design as a central component in how cities produce, construct, represent and materialise gendered spatial practices, it brings together practice and theory to critique, question and enable solutions that challenge the root causes of gender inequalities in cities. Through a rich array of case-studies, practice-led interventions, and historical and theoretical perspectives, it examines important issues that affect the ways in which women, and people of diverse gender and sexual identities experience and participate in cities. Thematically organised, it considers problems of street-harassment, heterosexualisation and equity in access and mobility, together with modes of segregation, isolation and discrimination, as well as processes of resistance, intervention and agency. Grounded in feminist and queer methods of analysis, the book offers new insights regarding the representation of cities, the lived experience of cities, and how design-tactics and approaches might affect the ways cities shape and regulate how women and people of diverse gender and sexual identity inhabit, occupy and move through the city. An examination of the ways in which design might shift toward safer and more inclusive cities, Contentious Cities will appeal to scholars of sociology, gender studies and urban studies, as well as those working in the fields of urban planning and design.

Much of feminist architectural scholarship focuses on the enormous task of instating women's experience of space into spatial praxis. Hypersexual City: The Provocation of Soft-Core Urbanism suggests this attention to women's invisibility in sociocultural space has overlooked the complex ways in which women already occupy space, albeit mostly as an image or object to be consumed, even purchased. It examines the occupation of urban space through the mediated representation of women's hypersexualized bodies. A complex transaction proliferates in the commercial urban space of cities; this book seeks to address the cause and consequence of the increasing dominance of gendered representation. It uses architectural case studies and analysis to make visible the sexual politics of architecture and urbanism and, in doing so, reveal the ways that heterosexist culture shapes the spaces, behaviour and relationships formed in neoliberal cities. Hypersexual City announces how examining urbanism that operates through, and is framed by, sexual culture can demonstrate that architecture does not merely find itself adrift in the hypersexualized landscape of contemporary cities, but is actively producing and contributing to the sexual regulation of urban life.

Much of feminist architectural scholarship focuses on the enormous task of instating women's experience of space into spatial praxis. Hypersexual City: The Provocation of Soft-Core Urbanism suggests this attention to women's invisibility in sociocultural space has overlooked the complex ways in which women already occupy space, albeit mostly as an image or object to be consumed, even purchased. It examines the occupation of urban space through the mediated representation of women's hypersexualized bodies. A complex transaction proliferates in the commercial urban space of cities; this book seeks to address the cause and consequence of the increasing dominance of gendered representation. It uses architectural case studies and analysis to make visible the sexual politics of architecture and urbanism and, in doing so, reveal the ways that heterosexist culture shapes the spaces, behaviour and relationships formed in neoliberal cities. Hypersexual City announces how examining urbanism that operates through, and is framed by, sexual culture can demonstrate that architecture does not merely find itself adrift in the hypersexualized landscape of contemporary cities, but is actively producing and contributing to the sexual regulation of urban life.

Combining practical design strategies with urban theory, She City explores how gender inequity is materialized in cities worldwide, providing an activist toolkit for architects and urban designers to challenge gender bias, sexual harassment, and violence against women through their designs. Part I provides a contemporary survey of the current state of gender inequity in cities, revealing how one’s gender impacts mobility, safety, and the ability to occupy public space. Focussing on the intersectional experiences of women and girls in the urban domain, this eye-opening theoretical groundwork exposes the impact of gender stereotypes and systemic power dynamics as they intersect with the architectural and urban fabric. Part II moves from theory to practice, examining a range of contemporary case studies – from positioning benches in public spaces to large-scale projects ensuring safety for sex workers – to show how better urban design can positively challenge gender inequity. Case studies are global – including New York, New Orleans, London, Zurich, Delhi, Cairo, Tokyo, and Bangkok – and range from collaborative co-designs with local women and girls, through to cutting-edge urban designs which actively contribute to women’s access, security, and empowerment in the city. Case studies are critiqued and evaluated, to show what works and why, and to provide innovative and thought-provoking ideas for the designer wishing to make a positive impact.

Combining practical design strategies with urban theory, She City explores how gender inequity is materialized in cities worldwide, providing an activist toolkit for architects and urban designers to challenge gender bias, sexual harassment, and violence against women through their designs. Part I provides a contemporary survey of the current state of gender inequity in cities, revealing how one’s gender impacts mobility, safety, and the ability to occupy public space. Focussing on the intersectional experiences of women and girls in the urban domain, this eye-opening theoretical groundwork exposes the impact of gender stereotypes and systemic power dynamics as they intersect with the architectural and urban fabric. Part II moves from theory to practice, examining a range of contemporary case studies – from positioning benches in public spaces to large-scale projects ensuring safety for sex workers – to show how better urban design can positively challenge gender inequity. Case studies are global – including New York, New Orleans, London, Zurich, Delhi, Cairo, Tokyo, and Bangkok – and range from collaborative co-designs with local women and girls, through to cutting-edge urban designs which actively contribute to women’s access, security, and empowerment in the city. Case studies are critiqued and evaluated, to show what works and why, and to provide innovative and thought-provoking ideas for the designer wishing to make a positive impact.