Advocating for equity in urban design with Emma McInnes
Our cities are excluding over half of the population, Emma McInnes is pushing for change.
It seems illogical to design and build cities that neglect the safety and needs of their inhabitants, yet many metropolises are inherently patriarchal – making it difficult for women, people with access needs, and other minority groups to participate in daily life. While this is a global issue, New Zealand has plenty of work to do. Domestic research shows that “significant population groups, such as women; young people; and Māori, Pacific and Asian peoples are underrepresented in [city] planning processes”. Leading the charge in our backyard, urban designer and founder of Women In Urbanism Aotearoa , Emma McInnes, is dedicated to changing this reality.?
In the lead up to her panel at the ArchiPro Commercial Expo, we spoke with Emma to learn more about what it means to design cities with women in mind, and what needs to change to ensure a more equitable future for Aotearoa.
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Hi Emma. How would you describe the work that you do?
First and foremost a mother to my daughter Lun?. I’m an advocate for inclusive design and intersectional urbanism for all people in the built environment, and that really helps with my work as an urban designer.
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What inspired you to get into urban design?
My partner actually. I didn’t realise it was a thing until he was studying it. I liked that he got to use such a broad range of skills in his work, from communications to economics, and artline pens to design software.?
From a young age, I'd also been mesmerised and excited by cities. It started with an obsession with playgrounds – I came from the farm, and couldn’t believe that people could live next to a playground, and then have all these built-in neighbourhood friends. Then it moved to a love of proximity to other people – cafes and shopping in my late teens.?
When I came to the University of Auckland for the start of my university years, I realised the freedom cities can offer a young person (especially one who couldn’t drive). There is power in dense, well designed cities; living in proximity and walkable distances to healthcare, education, friends, and places to eat cheaply can enable people to live affordable, interesting and dignified lives.
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You founded Women In Urbanism Aotearoa, what was the catalyst for that?
Firstly, it was the realisation that cities weren’t designed for women and children. For example, our cities are designed around the car, and in New Zealand, male drivers do more driving than female drivers, making up 61% of the total distance driven by New Zealanders. In contrast, women tend to walk and take public transport , and these modes of transport are largely underfunded by Waka Kotahi. Because of this, women are not given the same opportunities to access their cities as men.?
Women in Urbanism also focuses on the industry side of urbanism, not just the built environment. We’d noticed there was a real lack of women in the urban industries and local government, with women only making up 39% of people elected in local authority elections.
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You also work as an urban designer at The Urban Advisory, how does WiUA intersect with your role there?
At The Urban Advisory , designing built environments that are inclusive is central to what we do. Also shout out to my bosses, for having one of the very few women-run businesses in the urbanism space.?
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What are the main issues you encounter when advocating for equity in urban design?
There’s too much to do! From a lack of footpaths to big infrastructure projects – it’s hard to tackle everything. That’s why we need systemic change ASAP.?
But the major problem is cars. Transport investment pours into systems that favour the car, and until the people who manage our cities switch the focus away from cars, our cities will not get better. The walkable, cycleable, transit orientated city is a feminist one.
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Why is it so important for the design and build industry to focus on creating equitable and accessible spaces??
It is important to design and build accessible spaces so that everyone can participate in their city and society.?
When we neglect to include a pram ramp, a baby change table, space to manoeuvre a wheelchair, or ‘quiet hours' for people with access needs who want to grocery shop in peace, we exclude many people from participating in their cities. These barriers often impact women, children, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and the elderly accessing basic services and amenities.?
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How do you think New Zealand designers and planners can learn from cities overseas?
There are cities overseas that are making progress. We should be reaching out to them and asking if we can replicate their tools here. For example, France is making moves on the issues of street harassment with their law against verbal sexual harassment. Over 70% of women have been harassed at some point in Aotearoa, and 36% of women feel afraid when walking after dark.?
Cities like Stockholm and Vienna have embedded Gender Sensitive Planning across their local councils in their policies, and this leads to better, more inclusive urban design in their plans.
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What has been your greatest achievement to date through Women In Urbanism Aotearoa?
It's lots of little things we do to be honest. From running many events to educate and share knowledge and collecting data on street harassment, to endless submissions and commentary as stakeholders on big and small infrastructure projects.
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How would you like to see the design and build industry get involved in Women In Urbanism initiatives?
Hire and promote more women and other diverse employees, and help us advocate for gender sensitive design regulations. We also need to collect more intersectional data so that we can better and more accurately understand different people's needs.?
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What is something you think New Zealand has got right when it comes to urban design?
Water sensitive design – Te Auaunga Oakley Creek for example. We need to see more of it, but Te Auaunga is excellent.
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And finally, what are the best neighbourhoods or cities you have visited in terms of urban design?
Vauban , in Frieberg, Germany. Vauban has consolidated parking (no cars in the neighbourhood) and low speed limits, which means it’s safe for kids to play everywhere. They also have special tram carts designated from prams, wheelchairs, mobility aids, and cycle lanes and cycle streets – making it a low carbon neighbourhood.
Hammarby Sj?stad , a municipality in inner-city Stockholm. They have free public transport for parents with children, and shared courtyards with balconies overlooking these shared spaces – great for passive surveillance of children and women, keeping them safe. It’s also car free, with schools just a short walk and cycle away. It’s the most popular neighbourhood in all of Northern Europe for families!??