28 September 2022
The Portman Estate is proud to be a founding sponsor of a new campaign launched today by Publica’s social enterprise, delivering practical tools to address violence against women and girls in the built environment. The project is supported by more than 15 of London’s leading land owners, developers, and Business Improvement Districts.
The way we plan and design our cities needs a radical overhaul and this industry-led campaign will provide the essential knowledge, tools and expertise to transform our cities for all.
Dr Ellie Cosgrave, the director of the campaign, says: “Since the tragic recent murders of women on our city streets, much investment has involved delivering more CCTV and policing. We know these measures only scratch the surface of what is needed to shift the dial on women’s safety. Our current generation of civic leaders and practitioners urgently need the tools to begin designing truly inclusive and accessible built environments. This means putting women’s voices, experiences, and needs at the heart of design and decision making.
“This is being supported by Primera, The Portman Estate, New London Architecture, Howard De Walden, Grosvenor, Helical, Great Portland Estates, Almacantar, The New West End Company, The Northbank BID, Aldgate Connect, Central District Alliance, Hatton Garden BID, Eastern City BID, Fleet Street Quarter, and London HQ. Dr Cosgrave adds “I am delighted to have already received such immense support from our colleagues across the sector, which enables us to launch this campaign, apply gender expertise and take bold action across major projects from today. With this level of support, we can make transformative changes together.”
Simon Loomes, Strategic Projects Director at The Portman Estate, says: “As we retrofit better access and amenity into our existing infrastructure, we can only be successful if we properly understand the issues related to gender inclusion. Filling the knowledge gap which exists around this subject will help to resolve conflicts which exist for women, especially in the night time economy. Safeguarding our communities is at the centre of what we do. The Portman Estate is delighted to be sponsoring this important study into women’s safety in public realm design.”
About the Campaign
The campaign aims to upskill the sector by getting gender expertise in the hands of those who need it; creating opportunities to co-develop innovative solutions; and delivering gender-informed projects across the capital. To do this we are launching three programmes of work:
- Knowledge Hub: A one stop shop and engaging platform for research and expertise on gender inclusive urban development
- Ambitious Innovation: Curated cross-sector meetings and events to re-imagine safer cities for women and girls together
- Action Projects: Demonstrating the possibilities for gender inclusive urban development through practical projects delivered in partnership with developers, local authorities, and communities
There is already consensus on what needs to change, but the expertise is not publicly accessible. It is now time to galvanise our sector, get expertise in the right hands and deliver real projects, at scale, on the ground. When we actively address gender inequality in cities, we make cities better for all. For example, in making streets and public transport safer for women and girls we improve access to low carbon and active travel, which has a profound impact on pollution level and wellbeing through active lives.
