Global Urbanism Spotlight: Ten Women Driving Urban Change

A new book, “Women Changing Cities,” shines a light on ten remarkable women who are at the forefront of making cities work better for everyone. These leaders, operating across diverse geographical and cultural landscapes, are fundamentally reimagining urban functionality through a lens of empathy, long-term vision, and a commitment to care as a social value. Despite persistent gender imbalances in sectors like transportation and urban planning, where male representation remains disproportionately high at executive levels, these women are driving significant urban transformations.

The book profiles 19 women in leadership roles – including mayors, civil servants, entrepreneurs, and advocates – across 11 countries. Their collective work demonstrates that cities designed with a broader perspective, often informed by women’s experiences, become safer, more accessible, and more liveable for all residents. Five unifying themes emerge from their stories: a dedication to listening and empathy, an intersectional and long-term perspective, the integration of care as a core social value, adept coalition-building, and the courage to prioritise impact over personal power.

Why it matters

Pioneering Women and Their Impact

Janet Sanz, Deputy Mayor for Ecology, Urban Planning, Infrastructure and Mobility at Barcelona City Council, has been instrumental in the city’s urban evolution since 2015. Specialising in urban planning and environmental policy, Sanz spearheaded the Superblock program, a pioneering urban model that reclaims public space for people rather than cars. Her tenure has also seen the expansion of green urban design and the implementation of evidence-based transportation planning, demonstrating how thoughtful policy can simultaneously address environmental concerns, enhance public health, and improve the quality of life for residents across Barcelona’s diverse neighbourhoods.

In Bogotá, Colombia, Claudia López Hernández made history as the city’s first female and openly LGBTQ+ mayor. Elected with over 1.1 million votes, her administration has been characterised by a strong focus on social equity, environmental sustainability, anti-corruption initiatives, and women’s rights. As a progressive advocate, López prioritised vulnerable populations and systemic urban challenges. Her signature “Care Blocks” initiative established community hubs offering childcare, elder care, and social services, reframing care work as a vital public urban value. Her mayorship marked a significant political shift in Bogotá towards progressive urban governance centred on social inclusion and environmental stewardship.

Kalpana Viswanath, a social researcher with over two decades of experience in gender, safety, and inclusive urbanisation, co-founded Safetipin. This social enterprise leverages mobile technology and community-generated data to enhance women’s safety in urban public spaces. Viswanath employs an innovative, data-driven approach to combat street harassment and violence against women. Safetipin’s safety audits, initiated in 2016, identified thousands of poorly lit “dark spots” across Indian cities, providing geotagged photographic evidence to municipal authorities. This led to tangible improvements, with nearly 70% of identified locations receiving better lighting and infrastructure. Safetipin’s replicable model, now implemented in over 30 cities in India and other developing nations, exemplifies how participatory data collection from women’s perspectives can transform urban planning and maintenance, fostering safer environments for all residents.

Amanda Ngabirano, an urban planner and academic based in East Africa, focuses on integrating bicycle transport into city planning, offering unique solutions to Kampala’s urban challenges. Initially met with skepticism, her proposal for a dedicated road in Kampala exclusively for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and cyclists, excluding motorised traffic, was eventually adopted by the Kampala Capital City Authority. Namirembe Road now stands as a realised model of accessible, inclusive urban design. Ngabirano’s work, which addresses climate-resilient transport challenges specific to African cities, highlights how context-specific knowledge can be scaled into sustainable urban development models for the Global South.

Keisha Mayuga, an environmental planner and urban mobility advocate, has emerged as a leading voice for sustainable transportation in Metro Manila. As an active member of the Move As One Coalition and AltMobility Philippines, she champions evidence-based cycling infrastructure design and improvements to public transportation. Drawing from her personal experience cycling through Manila’s congested streets, Mayuga has directly challenged prevailing misconceptions about bike lane safety, advocating strongly for dedicated cycling infrastructure. Her approach combines technical planning expertise with lived experience, utilising cost-benefit analyses and rigorous policy development to ensure mobility decisions are grounded in solid evidence. Mayuga represents a new generation of urban advocates who merge professional expertise with community engagement and feminist principles to advance inclusive and safe mobility systems.

Laura Ballesteros Mancilla, a transport and mobility policy specialist, has profoundly influenced Mexico City’s approach to transportation equity and safety. As Undersecretary of Planning in the Mobility Secretariat, working alongside civil society organisations and then-Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera, she was pivotal in implementing the Mobility Law. This legislation established specialised policy frameworks that prioritised active mobility, road safety, and integrated transportation systems, marking a significant shift in the city’s transport planning.

Key facts

• Book Focus: Profiles women leaders driving urban transformation globally.
• Geographic Scope: Spans 11 countries and 19 women leaders.
• Core Principles: Empathy, long-term vision, care, coalition-building, impact-driven leadership.
• Impact Areas: Urban planning, mobility, safety, social equity, public space.

These women are not only addressing pressing urban issues but are also redefining leadership in the field. Their work underscores the principle that cities designed with a diverse range of experiences and needs in mind are ultimately more functional, equitable, and liveable for all inhabitants. By prioritising people, fostering sustainable mobility, and embedding care into urban policy, they are paving the way for a more inclusive urban future.

Source: Planetizen News – https://www.planetizen.com/features/137622-ten-extraordinary-women-making-cities-work-better-everyone