History
Schouwburgplein is a public space in Rotterdam that borders theatres such as Pathe, Rotterdamse Schouwburg and De Doelen. There is large parking lot that runs below thePublic space allowing this area to be a traffic free square. The Schouwburgplein is part of the basic Plan for the reconstruction of Rotterdam from 1946.
Rotterdam's economy is still almost completely based on shipping. Cultural institutions in Rotterdam include De Doelen concert hall noted for its acoustic perfection. Rotterdam is known for its cultural diversity.
“You can find representatives of the whole world here. Living and working together in respectful harmony.”
The most important ethnic group – people born to parents of Dutch origin – makes up 52.4% of the city’s inhabitants. Yet, by 2009 around 46% of Rotterdam’s residents were of immigrant background. According to the data provided by the City Council, currently about 70% of the city’s youth have migrant origins.The largest minority groups originate from Surinam (8.7%), Turkey (7.8%), Morocco (6.5%), the Antilles/Aruba (3.6%) and Cape Verde (2.5%). The remaining migration flows originate from EU (6.4%), other Western (4.6%) and non- Western (7.5%) countries.
“You can find representatives of the whole world here. Living and working together in respectful harmony.”
The most important ethnic group – people born to parents of Dutch origin – makes up 52.4% of the city’s inhabitants. Yet, by 2009 around 46% of Rotterdam’s residents were of immigrant background. According to the data provided by the City Council, currently about 70% of the city’s youth have migrant origins.The largest minority groups originate from Surinam (8.7%), Turkey (7.8%), Morocco (6.5%), the Antilles/Aruba (3.6%) and Cape Verde (2.5%). The remaining migration flows originate from EU (6.4%), other Western (4.6%) and non- Western (7.5%) countries.
“A sustainable city can only be built together with those who will live in it. All planning should be permeated by openness, democracy and equality. We will develop the city and the public space so that everyone, women and men, children, young people and people with disability, can participate on equal terms.
That leads to a city for everyone.”
Linda Gustafsson- gender equality officer
That leads to a city for everyone.”
Linda Gustafsson- gender equality officer
In 1980s, urban planning was a highly male dominated sector. There were several female architects working at the time on housing plans, however they were not invited to work primarily on urban plans.
Thanks to Eva Kail a young urban planner in 1991, researched into what woman need in a city and in housing. She asked women what they liked and what they feared in a city. These questions lead to an exhibition on "who owns public space?"
They collected data from both men and women about their own transportation through out the city on a daily basis. What they found was that men filled out the questionnaire quite quickly showing that they travel from home to work via car. Woman took quite a long time as their path through the city is completely different stopping at schools or collecting parents due to their life roles. This showed that woman are the main users of public space as their journey through public spaces are more complex. However, the cities infrastructure wasn't in place to support their needs. According to Kail she says:
"If you're going to do something for women do something for pedestrians."
The First Public Space
The first public space was designed in 1997 after they found out that predominantly girls up to t he age of 9 stopped using public spaces. These spaces were crowded out by large groups of boys and girls struggled to compete with the space, girls were often seen walking through but very rarely stopped to play.
In 2006, 6 parks were created in order to encourage girls to use these spaces. They focused on creating more space for girl sports, as well as small nooks where girls could socialise, well lit footpaths to make parks safer as well as higher perches. The number of female users increased significantly.
Thanks to Eva Kail a young urban planner in 1991, researched into what woman need in a city and in housing. She asked women what they liked and what they feared in a city. These questions lead to an exhibition on "who owns public space?"
They collected data from both men and women about their own transportation through out the city on a daily basis. What they found was that men filled out the questionnaire quite quickly showing that they travel from home to work via car. Woman took quite a long time as their path through the city is completely different stopping at schools or collecting parents due to their life roles. This showed that woman are the main users of public space as their journey through public spaces are more complex. However, the cities infrastructure wasn't in place to support their needs. According to Kail she says:
"If you're going to do something for women do something for pedestrians."
The First Public Space
The first public space was designed in 1997 after they found out that predominantly girls up to t he age of 9 stopped using public spaces. These spaces were crowded out by large groups of boys and girls struggled to compete with the space, girls were often seen walking through but very rarely stopped to play.
In 2006, 6 parks were created in order to encourage girls to use these spaces. They focused on creating more space for girl sports, as well as small nooks where girls could socialise, well lit footpaths to make parks safer as well as higher perches. The number of female users increased significantly.
In this way, perception of crime or danger may in some cases be more of a persistent problem for gender equality in public spaces than incidences of crime—and one rooted deeply in unequal, gendered power dynamics.
Adding to the challenge, typical design features intended to improve safety and prevent crime can actually backfire when it comes to improving the perception of safety. For example, designs enhancing lighting often introduce bright floodlights that also create pockets of darkness.
Adding to the challenge, typical design features intended to improve safety and prevent crime can actually backfire when it comes to improving the perception of safety. For example, designs enhancing lighting often introduce bright floodlights that also create pockets of darkness.
A Lack of Knowledge
The results are telling, there is a lack of knowledge on how to design for the needs of girls and women in public space. The knowledge gap is partly due to the absence of including children in the design process, not just girls. A more inclusive approach will result in a more equal built environment.
“If our responsibility as designers is to ultimately improve the world around us, then change must start with us.”
Alexandra Hagen- Director of Architecture firm
Process
For this project, White Architects collaborated with teenage girls from the youth council of Skarpnäck municipality and local authority learning facilitators. The project involved a big workshop in which the girls got to create many 1:50 models to represent a public space for girls.
Their work process showed preference for strong colour and form as well as places in which they could sit opposite each other, protected from weather and wind, to see without necessary be seen, a sense of intimacy without being constrictive; and most of to all, to be able to leave an imprint on their city.
“If our responsibility as designers is to ultimately improve the world around us, then change must start with us.”
Alexandra Hagen- Director of Architecture firm
Process
For this project, White Architects collaborated with teenage girls from the youth council of Skarpnäck municipality and local authority learning facilitators. The project involved a big workshop in which the girls got to create many 1:50 models to represent a public space for girls.
Their work process showed preference for strong colour and form as well as places in which they could sit opposite each other, protected from weather and wind, to see without necessary be seen, a sense of intimacy without being constrictive; and most of to all, to be able to leave an imprint on their city.