Glasgow: UK's first feminist city

Glasgow to become feminist city - 12th December 2022

Glasgow city council has voted unanimously to become a feminist city, making it the first in the UK. The council intends to put women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, non-binary people and other under-represented groups, at the heart of future urban planning.

The notion comes from a field called feminist urbanism, in which experts claim that urban design's essentially been the domain of men. As such, cities reflect a patriarchal society, conceived with men's demands and desires at the forefront, whilst side-lining issues of safety and accessibility for women, for example.

The novel motion was brought to the council floor by Green party representative Holly Bruce who said that city development needed to cater for "diverse needs" and that an "inclusive and climate-friendly approach is needed."

The exact profile of a feminist city is still under discussion and the council have confessed to it being work in progress. Meanwhile, they've requested city dwellers to put forward practical suggestions regarding possible modifications in future.

To aid security, installing improved lighting systems across city parks is one suggestion, given that many women and minority groups feel uneasy walking after dark. One report conducted by the organisation Young Women Lead concluded that merely 5 out of 214 respondents felt safe in Glasgow's parks.

However, a feminist city should also consider how to live in harmony with its flora and fauna, and Bruce pointed out the potential conflict, saying " I really want to make sure that we're not disturbing all the biodiversity in our parks."

Building an environmentally-friendly urban area, criss-crossed with bike paths, for example, is of great significance. Since a feminist city is also a walkable one, wider walkways, more accessible public conveniences and pedestrianised zones might help ease pressure on people with prams or wheelchairs. In addition, as many city dwellers cannot afford a car, prioritising pedestrians may also benefit those who are economically disadvantaged.

In short, a feminist city's a city for everyone, a point raised by Bruce herself.

"These factors aren't only important for women, they are key considerations for creating a healthier, more liveable city for all."