Woman at Square Jacques Franck
Woman shopping at Square Jacques Franck
This research zooms in on the usage of public space by female urban dwellers in Brussels Capital Region. Through the concept of borderlands, the behaviour of women in public space will be explored through a spatial analysis identifying their position in such spaces, according to the definition at hand. The conceptualisation of borderlands provides a visual understanding to specific urban areas. Tools such as picture taxonomies, axonometric views and quantified collected data represented in graphs and diagrams will be created to the specific borderlands. Thus, the following research hopes to complement existing literature on spatio-gendered spaces within the Brussels Capital Region by combining theory and visualising tools. Furthermore, conducted interviews will provide qualitative substance to the overall research. This exploration being part of a module on Urban Design, will further discuss the role of urban planning and design in relation to the integration of a gendered approach to this field.
Map of the selected borderlands.
Final Taxonomy with the representation of the paths and the facades of each borderland. Legend of the paths: dots = women/ full line = intense used path/ dotted line = medium used path. Legend of the facades: active, dull, inactive, residential, institutional. Colored buildings are higly used functions by women (often shops or religious centers).
This design project is based on qualitative and quantitative research that was executed during the time period of september 2020 and January 2021. The methodology used to gather data was based on observations of the location and as a second stage on short informal conversations with women present at the site. The observations were focused on understanding specific social dynamics of the space as well as observations of the built environment such as elements present, facades and layout of the space.
Through such observations we discovered a quite striking dynamic that was re-occurring at different sites and times: spatial segregation between genders.
By creating pathmaps, essentially mapping patterns that were observed to show how women navigate through a specific space or location. While we did observe common patterns on all seven selected locations (Figure 2), each locality is different and diverse in its details; its actors, physical layout and administrative opportunities, therefore a generic approach unsuitable. Hence, for the purpose of avoiding the implementation of a generic model.
Through such observations we discovered a quite striking dynamic that was re-occurring at different sites and times: spatial segregation between genders.
By creating pathmaps, essentially mapping patterns that were observed to show how women navigate through a specific space or location. While we did observe common patterns on all seven selected locations (Figure 2), each locality is different and diverse in its details; its actors, physical layout and administrative opportunities, therefore a generic approach unsuitable. Hence, for the purpose of avoiding the implementation of a generic model.
Women navigate through space by remaining on the edges and mainly use the space as transit rather than reside. Additionally, indicators such as shopping bags, children with school backpacks, strolleys, women being accompanied illustrate that women usually engage in a certain activity when navigating through urban space. On the contrary, when observing the male gender it became clear that there was a difference in how the spaces under investigation were used. Men usually occupied the central areas and hung around in groups to socialize, residing often by drinking.
From the seven locations investigated, Place Anneessens was chosen as our area of focus.
From the seven locations investigated, Place Anneessens was chosen as our area of focus.
The specific typology of the place Anneessens and through the conversations it became evident that the way the square is designed, creates certain barriers for women to use the space. For example, the linear aligning of the benches facing the centre of the square, immetates what female users described as a “catwalk”, where men naturally tale upon the role of spectators, creating a feeling of discomfort and being under observations. This is one of the reasons women transit the square on the edges.
The traffic and car occupied streets surrounding the square and its missing children facilities makes the space inadequate for mothers and their children. Finally, the public toilets attract drinking and homeless people.
The traffic and car occupied streets surrounding the square and its missing children facilities makes the space inadequate for mothers and their children. Finally, the public toilets attract drinking and homeless people.
We zoom in on Place Anneessens formulating site specific design interventions to improve female public space usage while incorporating the established social reality.
Through the design framework of action-oriented planning and the use of tactical urbanism, the project follows a mesure-test-refine thread, which sets every action into their short and long term timeframe. Further, the design proposal offers an extensive stakeholder analysis, scenarios of before and after, zooming in on the details of the individual interventions and a framework of action.
Through the design framework of action-oriented planning and the use of tactical urbanism, the project follows a mesure-test-refine thread, which sets every action into their short and long term timeframe. Further, the design proposal offers an extensive stakeholder analysis, scenarios of before and after, zooming in on the details of the individual interventions and a framework of action.
Measure timeline. The area of Anneessens was observed, analysed and mapped to understand its underlying reality.
Stakeholder analysis as part of the measure phase.
Overview of the local stakeholders.
Test timeline. Here short-term proposals (pilot-projects) are set up through the use of participation methods.
The refine timeline shows the wider context of already existing and future urban plans, policies and projects. This timeline helps to get an overview on the future changes that will take place and could affect the Place Anneessens, and which need to be taken into account, in order for the actual feasibility of the design interventions.
The above scheme summarizes the measure-test-refine strategy that the entire design project follows, illustrating the possible future outlook of Place Anneessens. The diagram further gives a clear idea on how the different small-scale interventions together, create an inclusive atmosphere, while not replacing the already existing social dynamics.
Work in collaboration with Julia Rocha and Laura Wipler.
