Designing cities that work for women and girls

Thursday 17 September 2026 - 17:30 to 19:30
JTP, London

from £5

How to ensure women and girls have safety and freedom to use the streets and spaces of cities, towns and villages at all times.

Recent changes to the NPPF and the draft London Plan introduce explicit requirements for developments to respond to the needs of women and girls, by creating places where everyone can feel safe, welcome and able to participate fully in public life.

But what does this mean in practice?

As a follow-up to the Women and Girls issue of URBAN DESIGN, this session will explore what built environment professionals, including planners, architects and developers, can do to translate these requirements into the way places are planned, designed and delivered.

17.30 - Registration

18:00 - Panel Debate and Discussion

Laurence Neal, Design Manager, Earls Court Development Company
Antonia Marijanov, Principal Policy Officer, Newham Council
Asma Jhina, Senior Advisor, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy
Susan Leadbetter, Associate, WSP
Marina Milosev, Co-founder, Beyond the Red Line — Chair

Q&A

The panel of experts will share practical examples of how gender-informed approaches are already being delivered, from the adoption of the first gender-informed local planning policy to the application of gender-informed principles in major urban development, transport planning and climate action.

To introduce the fundamental principles of a gender-informed approach, an optional walk from the station to the venue will take place, exploring the UN-Habitat Her City Toolbox to showcase practical available tools for meaningfully engaging women and girls in the development process.

Special thanks to JTP for hosting this event.