Gender equality in urban policy and planning
Gender equality touches many aspects of urban development and planning, from fear spaces to equal access to public transport, park and playground design to affordable housing. Gender blindness in public service provision and in public budgets can also lead to unintended discrimination.
What I offer
I offer public authorities a wide range of services to analyze and improve gender equality in their public services and spaces, including talks, written assessments, policy and spatial analyses, stakeholder engagement and consultation, concept papers, guidelines and capacity building.
Examples of previous work
I was the Lead Expert for the GenderedLandscape URBACT Action Planning Network and led the reboot of URBACT’s Gender Equal Cities program, which included both a report and a curriculum for public authorities on how to include gender mainstreaming in action planning. My work for cities has included, for example, a written assessment assessing new public transportation plans from the perspective of women and girls, a concept paper for gender mainstreaming in climate mitigation plans and a guideline for gender-sensitive urban planning.
I am currently writing a book in German on gender-sensitive urban design and policy, to be published by Springer in 2024.
I have given numerous interviews and talks on gender equality in urban design, including Ten Minute Talks in German and English. You can also read more about my work on gender equality on my blog.
Sound like what you need? Send me an email.
Inclusive public participation
Social inclusion is a central aspect of what I do, and nowhere is that more important than public participation.
What I offer
I design and deliver inclusive, accessible and target-group specific participation formats in person and online in order to expand stakeholder consultation beyond “the usual suspects”.
Examples of previous work
I was responsible for developing and managing the CIVACT project, which focused on the engagement of youth at risk of marginalization in five European cities. In addition, in my ongoing work around the Forth Meadow Community Greenway in Belfast, Northern Ireland, I designed and delivered broad and targeted dialogue and engagement, and the co-creation and implementation of a cross-community governance structure. This work focused not only on groups typically involved in PEACE projects, but also groups which have had less of a say historically, such as the disabled, migrants, youths, and the elderly.
I have given a number of webinars on stakeholder engagement, for example for the URBACT program. You can also read more about my work on social inclusion on my blog.
Sound like what you need? Send me an email.
Public-civic cooperation and social innovation in local government
Cities are increasingly rethinking the way they cooperate with residents. This includes resident-led projects such as urban commons, but also stakeholder groups around specific subjects, such as use of public space.
What I offer
I offer policy analysis and design, spatial analysis, stakeholder workshops and roundtables, moderation, mediation, and concept development for public-civic partnerships and social innovation in local government.
Examples of previous work
I led two projects in Berlin on the development of a simplified permitting process for free open air projects, the Model Space Project and Kultur im Grünen. In addition, my work around the Forth Meadow Community Greenway in Belfast, Northern Ireland, involved the co-creation and implementation of a cross-community governance structure together with a wide range of stakeholders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
I have written two books on urban commons, resources in the city which are managed by the users in a non-profit-oriented and prosocial way: Urban Commons: Moving beyond State and Market and The Urban Commons Cookbook. I also wrote a series of urban commons articles for Shareable. You can read more about my work on urban commons on my blog or check out my recorded talks in German and English.
Sound like what you need? Send me an email.