Increasing Awareness on Gender Issues: Transport Infrastructure's Impact on Energy Efficiency - Part III
In the first instalment of a three-part series, we delve into the intersection of gender and sustainable transport. This investigation sheds light on how recognising and addressing gender aspects can combat structural discrimination and energy wastage in the transport sector.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has been advocating for gender mainstreaming in the transport sector since 2009, aiming to make it more equitable. Cities like Karlskoga (Sweden) and Vienna are following suit, ensuring that national transport structures cater to women's interests.
One of the key findings is that women in the European Union and USA are more likely to utilise pedestrian routes and public transport. This trend is influenced by various factors, including financial resources, infrastructure access, and safety. Safety, in particular, is a significant concern for women, who often face restrictions in using means of transport that do not provide adequate security against assaults.
On the other hand, men typically follow more direct daily travel routines. This gender-based difference in mobility patterns has implications for energy consumption, as transport systems designed for direct travel patterns may result in inefficient energy usage.
The correlation between transport services and gender aspects has been highlighted by the Public Transport Gender Audit Tool, introduced by the University of East London in 2001. This tool provides recommendations for the design of public policies, aiming to make transport systems more inclusive and sustainable.
Since the 1960s, significant efforts have been made to make transport systems more inclusive for disadvantaged groups. For instance, since 2009, the city of Zurich in Switzerland has implemented gender mainstreaming approaches in the transport sector. This includes coordinated efforts by the city's public transport operators and urban planning authorities to address gender-specific aspects in transport services and infrastructure design.
Reconstructing existing structures in a gender-responsive way could make public transport more accessible, expand pedestrian and bicycle routes, and introduce a shift in travel behaviours. This shift towards more sustainable and inclusive transport systems is crucial for finding the most energy-efficient way to live in a socially inclusive and sustainable manner.
Stay tuned for the next instalment of this series, where we will delve deeper into the implications of these findings and explore practical solutions for creating a more gender-equal and sustainable transport sector.
This article is part of a three-part series by Kathrin Meyer.
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