Ruimte & Maatschappij

Abstract

Our cities are largely designed from a patriarchal perspective, which often leaves the spatial needs and priorities of women, particularly those with a migrant background, underrepresented in mainstream urban planning. As a result, many of these women feel unwelcome or unsafe in public spaces. This article explores how to create a more inclusive city by centering the urban experiences of women with a migrant background. Through action research with a local women’s group and interviews with community workers, planners, and other experts, the article gathers insights into how women experience public space in Antwerp North, Belgium. Key themes include feelings of (un)safety and the ways in which caregiving roles impact their use of public spaces. From this, the article offers concrete recommendations for urban planners, such as fostering better social oversight, creating (semi) public spaces that are safe and welcoming for women, and enhancing the key stops along the daily routes these women take.

Keywords: Feminist Urban Planning, Women with a Migrant Background, Malestream Planning, Participatory Action Research, Use of Space

How to Cite:

Verlooy, L. & Devos, T., (2025) “How Can We Make Public Space More Women-Friendly? A Study in Antwerp North on the Public Space Experiences of Women with a Migration Background.”, Ruimte & Maatschappij 15(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/renm.91567