Urban Mobility, Women Safety and Climate Change: Building Gender Inclusive Cities in India

How safer transport and inclusive urban design can empower women and cut carbon emissions

KAKALI DAS

The streetlights flicker on one by one in Guwahati as the evening slowly turns into night. It is 9:30 PM. A woman steps out of her office, tired after a long day, but her journey home is far from simple. Her mind begins to race with questions. Should she take a cab, even though it will cost almost five times more than other options? Should she walk to the nearest bus stop or metro point, even if the road feels unsafe and poorly lit? Should she take an auto, hoping the driver is trustworthy? Or should she call someone she knows to come and pick her up?

This is not a rare situation. This is a daily reality. Every day, women across Indian cities perform countless calculations in their minds, balancing safety, money, and time just to get from one place to another. Meanwhile, the man sitting just a few desks away often does not face the same level of stress or fear. His commute is usually a matter of convenience. For her, it is a matter of safety and survival.

This is what it means to be a woman in an Indian city. Cities are not designed with women in mind. And yet, when we begin to imagine what cities would look like if they were designed for women, something remarkable happens. We begin to see solutions that are not only better for women, but better for everyone, and even better for the planet.

To understand this, we must first understand a simple truth that is often ignored in city planning. Women move through cities very differently from men. In urban India, more than half of women do not step outside their homes on a given day. That is not because they do not want to, but often because the city does not feel safe or accessible to them.

For the women who do step out, their journeys look very different from those of men. A large majority of women rely on public transport, walking, or informal modes like shared autos. Women are far more likely to walk than men. Nearly half of working women walk to their workplaces, compared to a much smaller percentage of men. At the same time, men are more likely to own and drive private vehicles.

But the difference does not end there. Even when women are employed, they continue to carry the larger share of caregiving and household responsibilities. They are the ones who drop children to school, pick up groceries, visit clinics, and manage countless daily tasks. Because of this, their travel patterns are more complex.

Instead of making a simple journey from home to work and back, women often combine multiple trips into one continuous journey. They might drop a child at school, stop to buy vegetables, visit a pharmacy, and then head to work. On the way back, they might pick up something else before returning home. This pattern is known as trip chaining.

Trip chaining may sound efficient, but it comes with hidden costs. Women’s trips are usually shorter in distance, but they often end up paying more because they have to take multiple rides or buy multiple tickets. Studies have shown that even though women travel shorter distances than men, their travel costs can be significantly higher. This creates an economic burden, especially for women from low income households.

The problem is made worse by the timing of these trips. Women often travel during non peak hours because their schedules are shaped by caregiving responsibilities. During these times, public transport is less frequent. This means longer waiting times, uncertainty, and more exposure to unsafe environments.

And then there is the biggest concern of all, safety. A large number of women in Indian cities have experienced harassment or violence in public spaces. This includes streets, buses, trains, and even areas near their homes. Safety is not just a fear. It is a lived reality.

Because of this, many women make choices that limit their opportunities. Some avoid certain routes. Some avoid travelling at certain times. Some spend more money on safer options like cabs. And some simply choose not to step out at all unless absolutely necessary. There are many women who have turned down jobs or educational opportunities because the commute felt unsafe.

The cost of mobility for women is not just financial. It is emotional and psychological. It affects their confidence, their independence, and their mental well being. It shapes their lives in ways that are often invisible to others.

But what if cities were designed differently? What if we planned our urban spaces keeping women at the center? The answer is not as complicated as it may seem. In fact, it comes down to a few key changes.

Imagine a city where public transport is reliable, frequent, and accessible. A city with more buses, better routes, and well connected systems that reach not just the main roads but also the inner areas where people actually live. Imagine bus stops that are well lit, safe, and equipped with basic facilities. Imagine last mile connectivity that works, with safe footpaths, shared transport options, and clear information about routes and timings.

When public transport improves, it benefits everyone. More people choose buses and trains instead of private cars. This reduces traffic congestion and makes the city more efficient.

Now imagine a city where walking is safe and comfortable. Footpaths are wide, continuous, and free from obstacles. Streets are well lit. There are trees that provide shade. There are no vehicles invading pedestrian spaces. In such a city, walking becomes a choice, not a risk.

Walking is not just good for individuals. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel. It produces no emissions, reduces noise, and improves air quality. When more people walk, cities become healthier and more livable.

Some cities around the world have already taken steps in this direction. In Vienna, planners studied how women move through the city and redesigned transport systems accordingly. They improved connectivity to schools, markets, and residential areas. They increased safety measures and ensured that public transport runs even during non peak hours. Over time, car usage decreased and emissions dropped significantly.

Similarly, in Barcelona, the idea of superblocks transformed neighborhoods. Streets were redesigned to prioritize people over cars. Spaces were created for walking, cycling, and community activities. The result was not just better mobility, but also stronger social connections and improved quality of life.

Back in India, there are examples too. Parts of Chandigarh have shown how pedestrian friendly planning can create vibrant public spaces. These examples remind us that change is possible.

Another powerful idea is that of the fifteen minute city. Imagine living in a place where everything you need is within a short distance from your home. Schools, clinics, markets, parks, and workplaces are all easily accessible by walking or cycling. This reduces the need for long commutes and makes daily life simpler.

For women, this can be life changing. It means less time spent travelling and more time for work, rest, and personal growth. It reduces the stress of managing multiple responsibilities across long distances.

For the environment, it means fewer vehicles on the road and lower emissions. Urban transport is a major contributor to pollution and climate change. When we reduce the need for long distance travel, we reduce the impact on the planet.

In Paris, the concept of the fifteen minute city has been actively implemented. The city has worked to ensure that essential services are available within local neighborhoods, supported by strong public transport and restrictions on car usage.

All of this brings us to an important connection that is often overlooked. Women’s mobility is deeply linked to climate change.

Women, by necessity, already tend to use more sustainable modes of transport. They walk more, rely more on public transport, and use private vehicles less often. In many ways, their travel patterns represent the kind of low carbon future that cities are trying to achieve.

But instead of supporting these patterns, our cities often make them difficult and unsafe. As a result, those who can afford it shift to private vehicles, increasing emissions and worsening traffic.

When we design cities that support women’s mobility, we encourage sustainable transport for everyone. Better buses and trains mean fewer cars. Safer walking spaces mean more people choosing to walk. Shorter distances mean less fuel consumption.

Even small changes can have a big impact. Studies have shown that improving footpaths alone can prevent thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions each year. This is equivalent to removing thousands of cars from the roads.

Urban areas are at the center of the climate crisis. A significant portion of global emissions comes from cities, and transport is a major contributor. In India, road transport accounts for a notable share of emissions. If we want to address climate change, we cannot ignore how people move within cities.

The question then becomes simple. How do we create cities that allow people to move easily, safely, and sustainably?

The answer lies in designing for those who face the greatest challenges. When we design cities for women, we address issues of safety, accessibility, affordability, and efficiency all at once. These improvements benefit not just women, but children, the elderly, and anyone who depends on public spaces.

A city that feels safe for a woman at 9:30 PM is a city that works for everyone. A city where a woman can walk freely without fear is a city that values its people. A city where daily needs are within reach is a city that respects time and energy.

Designing cities for women is not a niche idea. It is not just about gender. It is about fairness, sustainability, and the future.

As the woman in Guwahati finally decides how she will get home, her choice reflects the limitations of the city around her. But it also points to a possibility. A possibility where one day, she will not have to choose between safety, cost, and convenience. A possibility where her journey home is just a journey, not a calculation.

And in creating that possibility, we do not just build better cities for women. We build better cities for everyone. We build cities that are kinder to people and gentler on the planet.

References

1. Government of India. Time Use Survey 2024
2. World Bank. Gender and Urban Transport in India Reports
3. Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) &Women’s Mobility, Safety, and Public Transport Studies in Indian Cities
4. Government of Tamil Nadu. Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women, 2021 Impact Assessment
5. Vienna Urban Planning Department. Gender Sensitive Urban Planning Case Study
6. Barcelona City Council. Superblocks Urban Design Model
7. Paris City Government. 15 Minute City Urban Policy Framework
8. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Road Transport and Emissions Data Reports

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