Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mohanna Sarvari ¹
• Nina Khalighi ²
• Mehdi Saidi ¹

¹ Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

² Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

Highlights

This research introduces the innovative Gender Equity Experience Index (GEPI), which uniquely evaluates both physical infrastructure and women’s perceived experiences to understand their presence in urban parks.
The findings reveal that improving park infrastructure alone is insufficient to achieve gender equity, as social, cultural, and economic factors play decisive roles.
A significant gap exists between the provision of physical lighting and women’s perceived sense of safety, primarily due to the lack of effective social surveillance mechanisms.
The study highlights the need for a multidimensional approach that integrates physical design with social, cultural, and economic planning to create inclusive and welcoming urban public spaces for women.

 
Introduction
International frameworks and theories, including Lefebvre’s theory of the production of space and the concept of the embodiment of space, emphasize that space is socially produced through human interactions. When urban planning fails to address women’s needs, their lived experience of space becomes constrained by insecurity, limited accessibility, and reduced opportunities for participation. In Iranian cities, the dominance of conventional planning approaches has resulted in public spaces that inadequately respond to women’s requirements for safety, accessibility, and comfort.
Previous studies have identified security, activity diversity, and individual characteristics—such as age and marital status—as key determinants of women’s presence in public spaces. Weak security, cultural constraints, and the lack of gender-responsive public services have further reduced women’s participation in urban spaces and intensified spatial inequality. Focusing on Shohada Park in Sanandaj, this study demonstrates that inadequate lighting, insufficient urban furniture, and limited public services have contributed to women’s lower presence despite their substantial share of the city’s population.
Theoretical Framework
This study develops a theoretical framework to examine the factors shaping women’s preferences in urban parks and to evaluate park planning quality from a gender-responsive perspective. The framework draws upon studies of urban parks, women-centered planning, public participation, and women’s use of public spaces.
It assumes that women’s experiences of urban parks are multidimensional and influenced by the interaction of physical, social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors. Accordingly, park quality is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct that reflects both objective physical conditions and women’s subjective experiences. The framework is operationalized through measurable indicators to support practical and gender-responsive urban park planning.

A theoretical framework for analyzing women’s preferences and evaluating park planning quality.
Grounded in the literature on urban parks, women-centered planning, public participation, and women’s use of public spaces.
Women’s experiences are shaped by physical, social, cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Park quality incorporates both objective characteristics and subjective perceptions.
The framework is translated into measurable indicators for practical planning applications.

Methodology
This applied study adopts a mixed-methods (qualitative–quantitative) approach to develop and evaluate the Gender Equity Experience Index (GEPI) across five dimensions. Qualitative data were first used to identify the relevant indicators, which were subsequently tested and quantified through quantitative analysis.

Applied research using a mixed-methods approach.
Development and measurement of the Gender Equity Experience Index (GEPI) across five dimensions: physical, social, economic, cultural, and environmental.
Study population: women aged over 20 years in Sanandaj (population: 148,920; 2016 Census).
Shohada Park was selected as the case study because of its importance as a major urban public space.

Results and Discussion
The findings indicate that women’s presence in Shohada Park is influenced by the combined effects of physical, social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors rather than by physical conditions alone.
The principal innovation of this study is the development of the Gender Equity Experience Index (GEPI), which simultaneously evaluates objective park infrastructure and women’s subjective experiences. The results demonstrate that physical improvements alone cannot achieve gender equity in urban public spaces. Instead, social cohesion, cultural acceptance, economic opportunities, and environmental quality are equally important in shaping women’s experiences and encouraging their presence.
Conclusion
The findings demonstrate that increasing women’s presence in urban parks requires more than physical improvements. A multidimensional approach that simultaneously addresses social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors is essential for creating equitable and inclusive public spaces.
The study introduces the Gender Equity Experience Index (GEPI) as a practical, policy-oriented tool for evaluating public spaces from a gender equity perspective through the integration of qualitative and quantitative evidence.
The results also highlight several planning priorities, including improving restroom facilities, providing multipurpose public spaces, expanding cultural programs, strengthening affordable commercial services, enhancing children’s play facilities and urban furniture, and increasing both actual and perceived safety through improved lighting and social surveillance.
By incorporating economic and cultural dimensions within a mixed-methods framework, the study provides a more comprehensive understanding of women’s experiences in urban public spaces. Nevertheless, the research is limited by its focus on a single park and its cross-sectional design. Future studies should employ comparative and longitudinal approaches to validate and expand the proposed framework across different urban contexts.
Ultimately, achieving safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive urban spaces requires a fundamental reconsideration of conventional urban planning approaches.
Acknowledgment
This article is derived from a Master’s thesis in Urban Planning titled 'Planning Urban Parks Based on the Needs and Preferences of Women: A Case Study of Shohada Park, Sanandaj,' presented at the University of Kurdistan by the first author, supervised by the second author and consulted by the third author.

Keywords

• Shohada Park, Sanandaj
• Urban Parks
• Women’s Preferences
• Gender Equity
• Participatory Planning
• Gender Equity Experience Index (GEPI)

Main Subjects

• Urban Planning