#9/2018
MAKING OUR ENVIRONMENT INCLUSIVE
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It can't be denied, the world is set up through the influences and decisions of men; a default that we have all become accustomed to.
And only now, as we start to be consciously aware of our surroundings and what we say and how we act, we are noticing that this default isn’t comfortable and inhibitive for many. In this newsletter’s theme, we look at the physical spaces we use and its effects on gender participation. It's not about changing a patriarchic design of our cities to that of a matriarchic one, but it's about coming together. Though to do that, we first need to be aware of what is. |
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
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PART 1 - ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING - HOW OUR SURROUNDINGS AFFECT US
Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash
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Architecture and urban planning play an incredibly influential role in our lives whether we notice or not.
This Part looks at how architecture and city planning makes people feel and its impact on how we carry out our lives and how the lack of women in these industries has had an effect on well-being and opportunities for equal participation. John Cary’s TedWomen 2017 Talk brings up the importance of people when designing a building. |
Sinéad Burke’s Tedtalk is another example of how the current physical environment creates barriers that remind people of their disabilities.
It’s not about creating separate spaces but designing for as many people as possible. Sometimes the best first step is to simply ask the people how they use and navigate their city.
Cities aren’t experienced or lived the same way by men or women.
Vienna, Austria is one of the best practices of how cities can make spaces enable for the co-existence of different groups of people.
Whether you like the interior of The Wing or not, is not the point, what is the point is that spaces affect us. It is time to create spaces that are comfortable for women, as explained by The Wing's designer Alda Ly.
BITE-SIZE
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
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Watch: This is an inspiring Tedx Talk that is about finding a job you love without sending a CV, but really it is about the importance of connecting with people.
Read: Too often we are using words disconnected with their actual meaning and sometimes undermine what we are saying, one such word is "I'm sorry". And Google Chrome has even developed a plug-in to bring awareness to the words we use in our emails. Listen: After listening to this episode one will look at plants in a completely different perspective. Beware you will be in awe about nature if you're not already. |
Published in June 2018.