RIN♀EBY - Exploring feminist design tools

Sammanfattning: This project aims on exploring ways to redefine the relationship of gender and space through urban design. Gender inequalities expressed in spatial manners have been theorized by feminist geography, an approach to human geography. Having a good understanding of this theoretical context will provide the tools to tackle distantiation, spatial separation, constraint and the limited spatial opportunities women experience in public places. Using Rinkeby square as the canvas for this exploration, the effort will be put on mapping the uses of the square through observation, quantitative research, as well as interviews with local organisations, shops and authorities close to the square. An inventory of the architectural features of the square will be made along with a site analysis focusing on the questions of effects on equality. Furthermore existing female networks and societies in the area will be contacted seeking possible collaborations for a later project work, workshops or events. Finally, as a result of the initial investigations, this project intends to explore how a physical intervention would affect these questions at Rinkeby square. It is the working hypothesis of this project that any project in order to be successful would need to be based on a deeper understanding of the challenges surrounding female presence on the square, and be tied into the already existing networks for women. This project therefore hopes to establish contact with existing female networks such as (D)Järva Kvinnor, Café Respekt and Tensta-Hjulsta Kvinnocenter, amongst others.