The second day of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) concluded with a panel discussion on “Achieving Gender-Sensitive Urbanization: Between Policies and Implementation”, Invest-Gate reports.

The panel emphasized the significance of urban planning and the imperative of considering the diverse needs of individuals within society.

The session saw the participation of distinguished individuals including Ines Sanchez, Professor of Planning and Deputy Director of the Higher Technical School of Architecture in Madrid, UNESCO University Chair for Gender Affairs; Heba Shoaib, Director of the Urban Research and Studies Unit at Takween for Integrated Community Development and Assistant Professor at Nile University and the Maritime Academy; Nahed Naguib, Director of the Development Planning and Management Support Project at the General Authority for Urban Planning in Greater Cairo; and Radwa Ahmed, CEO of Mountain View Foundation.

Ines Sanchez underscored the necessity of integrating a gender perspective into urban planning, particularly focusing on transport and care issues. She highlighted how conventional urban planning often overlooks the needs of women and families, especially those with caregiving responsibilities.

Sanchez noted that the segregation of residential and work areas, a common practice in modern urban planning, exacerbates the caregiving burden on women and diminishes transport efficiency.

Heba Shoaib emphasized the importance of bridging societal divides and integrating women into community work, particularly in urban planning, citing their potential to revolutionize urban development.

Nahed Naguib mentioned that the General Authority for Urban Planning in Greater Cairo pioneered a gender strategy in 2017 to incorporate gender considerations into urban development processes.

She elaborated on how this strategy includes a comprehensive urban guide to empower women in urban planning, serving as a valuable resource for social integration studies in development and urban projects.

Radwa Ahmed highlighted Mountain View’s presence in six governorates, focusing on discovering talents across various domains, including sports where girls excel.