Gender-sensitive training for safe and inclusive communities: A pilot for transformative placemaking in the public sector – Monash University 2022

Gender-sensitive training for safe and inclusive communities: A pilot for transformative placemaking in the public sector – Monash University

The research team

• Associate Professor Nicole Kalms
• Associate Professor Gene Bawden
• Dr Jess Berry
• Dr Gill Matthewson
• Isabella Webb

How was the research conducted?

The Monash University XYX Lab developed online training for local government employees and the broader urban design and architecture industry. It aims to help them:

• understand gender-inclusive and safety concepts to evaluate gender-sensitive placemaking projects
• develop an informed gender lens to apply to their own work
• advocate for gender-sensitive placemaking within the workplace
• undertake informed and gender-sensitive design of policy, urban spaces, or inclusion programs in public space.

The research team:

• audited research on gender-sensitive design for streets, parks, public transport and urban spaces
• collated international best-practice approaches to intersectionality in gender-sensitive placemaking
• collated online training materials
• delivered three training overviews for feedback from an expert panel of metro and regional councils
• prepared online training material for Monash University’s learning platform.

What did the research find?

The public sector expert panel provided feedback on the training. Feedback commended:

• the practical and multi-strategy tools of the course
• learning to ‘walk in the shoes’ of others and not plan only from a technical point of view
• the opportunity for reflection in the course
• applying a gender lens across a broad council cohort
• the commitment to better design of safe spaces for women
• meeting Gender Equality Act requirements in applying gender impact assessments
• the use of live projects with opportunities to create change while building understanding.

The expert panel found the training would benefit defined entities by:

• empowering organisations to use a gender lens and meet community needs
• making a gender-sensitive design lens the norm
• ensuring a multi-strategy approach to safety for women and gender-diverse people
• giving cross-council teams the opportunity to collaborate through the course.

Recommendations

• Public spaces and infrastructure must meet the needs of the whole community. Local and state government should use holistic approaches to planning.
• State and local government should provide leadership in inclusive placemaking.
• Increase the understanding of a gender lens to increase understanding of gender equality.
• Prioritise women’s diverse experiences and uses when planning and designing public places.
• Support online learning on gender-sensitive and inclusive placemaking for individuals, teams and organisations.
• Gender-Sensitive Training for Inclusive Placemaking can help prevent gender-based violence in public spaces.

Read the full report

Citing this research

Kalms et al., ‘Gender-sensitive training for safe and inclusive communities: A pilot for transformative placemaking in the public sector’, Monash University, 2022