City Streets, Public Toilets, and Snowplows: The Everyday Ways Cities Fail Women

Urban Design’s Hidden Gender Problem—And the Cities That Are Getting It Right

Think urban planning is gender-neutral? Think again. From snowplows to public toilets, ‘Invisible Women’ reveals how city design routinely overlooks the needs of women. The result is a world where women face daily challenges—from dangerous commutes to long lines for restrooms—that men rarely notice.

Consider snow clearing. In many cities, roads are cleared before sidewalks, because planners assume the most important travelers are drivers—usually men. But women are more likely to walk or use public transit. When Sweden changed its snow-clearing policy to prioritize sidewalks and bus stops, injuries and costs dropped dramatically.

Public toilets are another battleground. Equal floor space for men’s and women’s restrooms does not mean equal access—urinals take up less space, so women wait in line while men breeze through. Transport systems also ignore ‘trip-chaining’—the multiple stops women make for caregiving, shopping, and errands—making public transit less efficient for half the population.

But there’s hope. Some cities are using gender-disaggregated data to design safer streets, better transport, and more accessible public spaces. These changes don’t just help women—they make cities better for everyone. ‘Invisible Women’ is a wake-up call for urban planners, policymakers, and citizens who want fairer, more livable cities. 1 4