How Can Inclusive Design Redistribute Power and Ensure Equity in Public Spaces?

The world has largely been designed by men—historically, they were the primary decision-makers shaping our cities, systems, and daily experiences. As a result, women face disadvantages in nearly every aspect of life, from transportation systems and medical treatments to tax structures and consumer goods (Perez, 2019).

This essay focuses on one specific example of gender bias in urban design: the playground. It explores key questions: How does power imbalance shape our built environment? How do these spaces reinforce societal norms? How can designers challenge and change these structures to promote inclusivity?

To address these questions, I introduce the concept of gender mainstreaming and examine how public spaces—especially playgrounds and parks—have alienated women. The Vienna Gender Mainstreaming in Urban Planning and Urban Development manual serves as a case study for best practices in designing more equitable cities. Finally, I explore how design can be used as a tool to reshape these public spaces and create more inclusive environments.

What is Gender Mainstreaming?

"Equality between women and men refers to the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of women, men, girls, and boys."
— United Nations

Growing up, I hardly ever used my school playground—except for mandatory PE classes. It was always filled with sweaty boys playing soccer, while my female friends and I sat on the steps, chatting and watching. No one ever questioned why the playground had nothing but two goalposts, or why we weren’t using it. We simply accepted that the playground was a space for boys.

It wasn’t until years later that I realized this wasn’t about choice—it was about design.

A UN study found that until the age of seven, boys and girls use public spaces equally. But after the age of eight, that balance shifts. Boys make up 80% of playground users, while girls report feeling ten times more unsafe in public spaces (UN-Habitat, 2020).

Why? Because playgrounds and parks are designed with male-dominated sports in mind—soccer fields, basketball courts, and skateparks. This implicitly excludes girls, discouraging them from using these spaces. A study in Vienna revealed that:

• 70% of girls (compared to 44% of boys) were reluctant to enter public spaces already occupied by older boys.

• 82% of girls (compared to 47% of boys) who tried to share these spaces were rejected.

Many girls who attempted to claim space reported experiencing harassment or intimidation (City of Vienna, 2013).

Why Are Public Spaces Designed This Way?

Public spaces should serve everyone, yet they often reflect the priorities of those in power. Men, women, gender minorities, and people with disabilities use cities differently (World Bank, 2020). But for centuries, urban planning has assumed the able-bodied, working man as the “default” user.

Male planners—whether intentionally or not—have designed spaces around their own experiences. The result? A lack of research and data on how women navigate public spaces. This creates a gender data gap that limits accessibility, safety, and comfort for women and other marginalized groups.

This imbalance isn’t just theoretical—it has real consequences. Women feel less safe in public spaces. Their movement is more restricted. And in many cases, they are completely excluded from spaces that should be for everyone.

How Do We Fix It?

The solution is simple: include women in the design process.

Vienna’s Gender Mainstreaming Urban Design Guideline is a leading example of gender-inclusive urban planning (City of Vienna, 2013). Since the 1990s, the city has redesigned public spaces based on the needs of both boys and girls, ensuring equal access.

Instead of building multiple soccer fields, Vienna introduced a variety of play areas—including volleyball and badminton courts—allowing more diverse participation. The impact was immediate: more girls started using these spaces.

This case study proves that small design changes can create huge shifts in how public spaces are used.

What Can Designers Do?

As designers, we shape the world around us—whether through digital experiences, physical spaces, services, or products. Every design decision we make has the potential to include or exclude, to empower or marginalize. That’s why designing for inclusivity and diversity is not just a responsibility—it’s a necessity.

To create truly equitable and accessible experiences, we must:

• Challenge the idea of the ‘default’ user. Most products, services, and spaces are designed with a singular, often able-bodied, neurotypical, and male-centric user in mind. However, real users are diverse—spanning different genders, ages, abilities, cultures, and backgrounds. Inclusive design starts with questioning who is being considered and who is being left out.

  
  

• Use data to uncover hidden biases. Many design choices are made without sufficient research on how different groups interact with a product or space. We need to actively collect and analyze data on marginalized and underrepresented users to ensure our designs don’t unintentionally reinforce existing inequalities.

  
  

• Design with—not just for—diverse communities.True inclusivity happens when design teams collaborate with the people they’re designing for. Engaging users early in the process—through interviews, co-creation workshops, and usability testing—ensures that solutions reflect their real needs, not just assumptions.

  
  

• Prioritize flexibility and adaptability.There is no one-size-fits-all solution to inclusivity. Instead, we should aim to create adaptable systems that accommodate different preferences, abilities, and contexts. Whether it's customizable UI settings, multi-sensory feedback, or modular public spaces, the goal is to provide multiple ways for people to interact and engage.

  
  

• Advocate for inclusivity beyond the design phase.Inclusivity is not just about the final product—it’s also about who gets to design. Pushing for more diverse voices in design teams, leadership roles, and decision-making processes helps ensure inclusivity is embedded at every level, rather than being an afterthought.

  
  

• Cultivate a mindset of empathy and awareness.Good design is rooted in understanding human experiences. Developing awareness of social barriers, historical biases, and systemic inequalities allows designers to approach their work with greater sensitivity and responsibility. It’s about recognizing the needs and struggles of others, even when they differ from our own experiences.