She Who Builds
For centuries, women have given life to the world—bearing children, nurturing families, and building the invisible scaffolding of society. Yet, when it came to shaping the physical spaces of the world, they were too often shut out of the room, their hands left hovering just outside the blueprint.
Architecture—the powerful act of imagining and constructing the world we live in—has long been dominated by male voices. But what is space without sensitivity? What is design without intuition? And how can we build a world that reflects all of humanity, if half of humanity is left out of the drawing board?
When a woman walks alone at night, she doesn’t just walk—she calculates.
She clutches her keys, memorizes license plates, pretends to be on a call, crosses to the other side if a shadow lingers too long. Not because of who she is, but because of how the world around her was built: careless, blind, and silent to her fear.
Let’s be honest—this fear wasn’t born in women. It was built into cities. Brick by brick, by hands and minds that never thought to ask, “Would she feel safe here?”
Because they never had to.
We live in cities with broken streetlights, blind corners, empty parking lots, and lonely bus stops at night. These aren’t just overlooked spaces. They are consequences of a world designed without women in the room.
Case Studies & Proof
Cities that involve women in urban planning report significantly safer outcomes:
Vienna, Austria redesigned neighborhoods by studying how women move—adding lighting, safe transit, childcare access, and reduced crime rates.
Bogotá, Colombia implemented gender-aware transport redesigns with lighting and surveillance, reducing assaults in public transport zones.
Jane Jacobs: The Woman Who Fought the Machine
In the 1950s, Jane Jacobs—a journalist and activist with no formal training in architecture—challenged the male-dominated power structure of urban planning in New York City. She saw cities as living, breathing organisms. She fought for walkable neighborhoods, mixed-use developments, and what she called "eyes on the street"—the natural safety that comes from vibrant, people-filled public spaces.
Zaha Hadid: Redefining the Skyline
Often called the "Queen of the Curve," she was the first woman to win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. Her designs—like the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku or the MAXXI Museum in Rome—are not just buildings, they are statements.
In a world where most buildings were rigid, geometric, and masculine, Hadid’s work celebrated fluidity, movement, and boldness. She once said, “Women are used to going against the grain. We’re always in the minority.”
Lina Bo Bardi: Designing for the People
In Brazil, Lina Bo Bardi believed architecture must serve everyday people, not just elites. Her iconic design of the São Paulo Museum of Art, suspended on red stilts, created not just a museum—but a public square beneath it for gatherings, protests, and community life.
She also designed with sustainability, simplicity, and human dignity in mind. Her buildings often used local materials, natural light, and flexible, open spaces. Her work whispered what others screamed: “Architecture is for living. Not just for looking.”
More Women Who Built Change:
Denise Scott Brown (co-author of Learning from Las Vegas) challenged modernist arrogance by honoring the "messy vitality" of real cities.
Norma Sklarek, one of the first Black female architects in the U.S., broke racial and gender barriers, designing major buildings like the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
Lesley Lokko, a Ghanaian-Scottish architect, is revolutionizing the way we think about architecture and education in Africa and beyond, tying race, space, and identity together.
Here’s how their involvement can directly impact the safety and functionality of our towns and cities:
Better Lighting and Visibility: Women instinctively prioritize visibility in public spaces. A well-lit street or park isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for safety.
Natural Surveillance and Activity Zones: Spaces that encourage continuous public presence (markets, parks, community hubs) deter crime and foster a sense of belonging.
Safe, Accessible Transit: From properly lit bus stops to secure pathways and inclusive design in transportation networks, women help ensure mobility without fear.
Integrated Community Services: Women-led planning often emphasizes the inclusion of childcare, healthcare, education, and recreational spaces—support systems that strengthen families and reduce isolation.
Inclusive Design Language: Simple design choices—open sightlines, emergency call points, interactive digital maps, or avoiding dead-ends—can make spaces feel secure and user-friendly.
Until women are equal participants in architecture and planning, we’re building cities that are only half human.
