Urban Minded

With the mental health of girls and young women on a concerning decline, it becomes painfully clear that this user group has been somewhat forgotten and misunderstood within the fabric of our cities. As designers of urban spaces that are intended to reflect and cater to everyone, we pose the question: How can the design of urban spaces support the well-being of teenage girls?

Project details

Client

N/A

Typology

Urban districts and masterplans, Culture

Status

Completed

Current urbanization rates indicate that by 2050, 70% of the world’s population will reside in cities, making urban areas a consequential site for generating social impact and deconstructing existing social structures that limit user groups. While the well-being of urban residents stands as a pivotal component of a socially sustainable city, studies reveal a concerning trend: the mental health of girls and young women is deteriorating.

In this context, and with an evidenced disparity in the active use of urban spaces between boys and girls, our research project Urban Minded challenges and diversifies the narratives about teenage girls. Exploring the needs of this demographic, which are often discussed in generalized terms, the project envisions a future that breaks from gendered stereotypes and prioritizes the well-being and empowerment of young women.

Two teenage girls in a moment of respite together on a bench in the center of Copenhagen. How can the design of urban spaces empower and protect the mental well-being of teenage girls? Lasse Bruhn, 2023

We were able to involve a diverse group of teenage girls in our process, allowing their insights to inform our designs. Paweł Floryn, 2023

Exploring the needs of this demographic, whose needs are often discussed in generalized terms, the project envisions a future that breaks from gendered stereotypes and prioritizes the well-being and empowerment of young women.

To be in the city is about being drawn to urban public spaces and feeling comfortable to spend time in them. Whether a favorite park or a bench by the water, this means providing spaces to meet the changing needs of the girls. Paweł Floryn, 2023

The persistence of gendered norms

A key consideration in engaging with girls directly was the understanding that our design solutions must break away from existing norms and narratives.

“The norms say girls should be passive, adorable, care about their appearance, and not be so loud. The narrative about boys says that they should be physically and mentally strong, slightly rough, not so good at taking care of themselves, and they should not show emotions,” says Education and Gender Sociologist, Cecilie Nørgaard. “When urban space reproduces these narratives, the norms become even stronger, and it becomes more difficult to diverge from them.”

These norms are evidenced by a disparity between boys’ and girls’ use of active outdoor spaces. Research from the Netherlands (2021), for example, reveals that the percentage of girls playing outside decreases from 45% in the age group of 0-4 to 23% in the age group of 13 and older, while the corresponding percentage for boys increases from 55% in the age group of 0-4 to 77% in the age group of 13 and older!^[1] Playing outside: who, where and what? Urban Springtime. 15 Dec. 2021.

While moving in cities, different interventions and elements — such as active and lively streets, clear bike lanes, and playful obvious crossings — can increase the feelings of both safety and discovery. These can encourage and empower the girls as they explore their surroundings and familiarize themselves with their city.

Applying qualitative and ethnographic research methods

Undertaken over the course of a year in collaboration with the Danish National Institute of Public Health, the project applied qualitative and ethnographic research methods. Using walk-and-talk interviews, video diaries, and workshops, our team met with teenage girls aged 14-16 living in Copenhagen and was able to learn from their diverse perspectives and experiences.

As a result of the research, we created two open-source guides containing principles for design, as well as an applicable methodology surrounding participation processes focused on the well-being of teenage girls. The process guide focuses on the project’s approach, research design, and methodology, while the design guide presents design interventions informed by the study. The two publications can be read separately or together, with the second building upon the first.

See them below:
- Process Guide
- Design Guide