Exploring Vienna's Approach to Gender Equality, Financial Support Systems, and Pedestrianized School Zones
Pedestrian Power & Justice: A Gender-Equitable Perspective on Walking in Cities
Walking isn't just about getting from point A to B; it's about equality and justice. With zero cost and universal access, walking is the ultimate democratic form of transportation. But, as Petra Jens, Vienna's Walking Commissioner since 2013, points out, it's also about who gets priority on the streets—and why vulnerable groups deserve equal consideration.
Who's really taking up public space?
Those with high needs for public space—kids, the elderly, those with care responsibilities—walk significantly more than others. Yet, they receive little space and time on the street. Plus, walking has long been overlooked when it comes to political attention—even though it's clear that no transport system would function without it. This tells us who truly has priority on the road, and how to ensure all are accounted for.
Gender-Inclusive Planning: Prioritizing the Vulnerable
We're accustomed to viewing streets as merely transit spaces. However, they serve many purposes, and Vienna has taken a unique approach in prioritizing pedestrians. This shift in perspective stems from gender research and social space analyses implemented before renovation projects.[1]
"How do they use this space?" asks Petra. "What can I do so that these people are better off after the renovation and have access to this space?"[1]
A Multi-dimensional Approach: Vienna's Game-changer
Vienna's reimagined approach to the street emphasizes a multidimensional view of its function(s). Instead of solely focusing on traffic flow, Vienna considers the various uses of public spaces and streets, thereby accounting for different user groups.[1]
For instance, women's locomotion and daily journeys differ greatly from those of men. While men tend to move linearly and regularly—to work in the morning and back in the evening—women make numerous, varied journeys throughout the day, using various modes of transport, and walking much more.[1]
Gender-inclusive planning in Vienna has influenced street lighting, widening pavements, bench design, park design, and social housing projects designed by and for women.
Gender Mainstreaming: The Austrian Capital's Guiding Principle
Gender mainstreaming is a major agenda in Vienna, with roots dating back to the 1990s. The city has even established a dedicated department to assist the administration in its processes.[2] Despite being a trailblazer in this area, there are still improvements to be made, such as addressing funding logic and interdepartmental cooperation.[2]
Navigating Funding Challenges: Embracing Change
While transportation strategies mention walking, the funding models fail to follow suit. Federal funding, such as Klimaaktiv:mobil, focuses on CO emissions reduction, lacking a cohesive structure that supports walking infrastructure in Vorarlberg—Vienna's region.[2] This creates a dilemma for funding logics, as walking doesn't cover many kilometers and its network effectiveness is often overlooked.[2]
One way to stimulate investment in walking is through a coherent funding structure for pedestrian measures. Vienna needs to overcome its "dilemma of funding logics" and develop processes to replicate successful initiatives like Austria's Cycling Master Plan, which has allocated funding for transportation infrastructure since 2006.[1]
Integration & Collaboration: The Future of Walkable Cities
To further promote walking as a viable transportation option, cities must prioritize interdepartmental cooperation and funding structures for pedestrian measures. By adhering to the principles of gender-equitable planning and incorporating a multi-dimensional perspective, cities like Vienna can pave the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for urban mobility.
References:[1] Citylab. "How Vienna Is Building a City Designed for Women." (n.d.)[2] The Urbanist. "Environmental Sustainability in Vienna." (n.d.)[3] Curtis, A., et al. "Urban Pedestrian Environment Index: An interpretation at the sub-neighborhood level." 2019.[4] World Urban Campus. "Innovative Mobility Solutions for Urban Areas." (n.d.)
- In rethinking street function and use, Vienna prioritizes a multi-dimensional approach that includes various purposes of public spaces and streets, recognizing and catering to diverse user groups, particularly women whose daily journeys and locomotion patterns differ significantly from men.
- The city's commitment to gender mainstreaming, with roots back to the 1990s, has influenced multiple urban development projects, effectively transforming street lighting, widening pavements, bench design, park design, and social housing projects to better serve all residents.
- However, funding challenges linger as federal funds primarily focus on CO emissions reduction, which fails to adequately support walking infrastructure development, such as in Vienna's region, Vorarlberg. To overcome this, the development of a coherent funding structure for pedestrian measures is crucial to stimulate investment in walking-friendly cities.
- To further promote walkability and ensure a more inclusive and sustainable future for urban mobility, cities should prioritize interdepartmental cooperation, adhere to the principles of gender-equitable planning, and integrate walking-and-fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink destinations, education-and-self-development institutions, home-and-garden spaces, and relationships-and-travel accommodations in their urban planning strategies. Personal-growth and career-development opportunities could also be enhanced through easily accessible walking routes, fostering a more well-rounded, holistic urban lifestyle.
