The Årstidernas park in Umeå, Sweden features a gazebo designed specifically for teenage girls, reflecting their inputs to ensure safety and comfort. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make urban spaces more accommodating to women, addressing issues often overlooked in city and urban planning. Gender equality officers like Annika Dalén and Linda Gustafsson play crucial roles in urban policy, ensuring that new projects, from parks to bike routes, meet the needs of female residents. Umeå’s gender-focused approach, in place since 1978, has gained attention across Europe, emphasizing that gender-sensitive urban design enhances safety and inclusivity for all residents. Gustafsson emphasizes the deep relationship between gender and sustainability, explaining that “Umeå is committed to becoming climate neutral by 2030,” but “if we don’t work simultaneously to combat climate change and achieve gender equality, we’re not going to get there.”
