Women’s uses and appropriations of public spaces

a case study of two squares in Vila Velha, ES

Abstract

Cities have historically favored the male experience, resulting in public spaces where gender inequality is perpetuated, with women facing social and spatial barriers that hinder urban uses and appropriation. The relationship of women with public spaces is influenced by several factors, however, the design and urban morphology can facilitate this interaction. This article therefore seeks to understand the interrelationship between women and public spaces, taking as a case study two squares located in different socioeconomic contexts of the city of Vila Velha-ES. This is an applied research, structured in three stages: Contextualization of the theme; Physical-morphological analysis and behavioral analysis. In addition to the data collection in the field, behavioral mapping techniques, people counting, and interviews were applied. The results reveal that female uses and appropriations in squares are often related to activities of care with children, elderly or pets. The time devoted to leisure occurs simultaneously with the responsibilities still assigned to women. It is noteworthy that specific physical and social characteristics of each context also influence the relationship of women with squares. These observations indicate the need for urban planning that is more sensitive to the female gender and directed to public spaces of permanence.