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Getting home safely Safe by Design by Women Transport Planners 22.04.2021 DRAFT
Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 2
Atkins Job Number: Document Reference: Get Home Safe - A Document for Discussion
Printing A4
Revision Purpose Description Originated Checked Reviewed Authorised Date
2 Issue Rev 2 AM RE KC FK 22/04/21
1 Issue Rev 1 AM RE CG FK 08/04/21
0 Draft Issue AM KC RE FK 06/04/21
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This document and its contents have been The copyright of this document is vested in
prepared and are intended solely for GPA infor- Atkins. This document may not be reproduced
mation and use in relation to the GPA project. in whole or in part without their express written
Atkins assumes no responsibility to any other permission.
party in respect of or arising out of or in connec-
tion with this document and/or its contents.Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 3 Introduction p. 4 Setting the scene p. 5 The first and last ‘mile’ from a woman’s perspective p. 6 The story of Zara making it home safely p. 7 - 9 Our proposed toolkit for practitioners and delivery partners p. 10 Opportunity Areas p. 11-12 A Call to Action p. 13 Visualisation p. 14 About the Authors p. 15 Cover image: 2021 Google
Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 4
Introduction Setting the scene
Recent tragic events in London have seems to imply that women are to Journey purpose can differ whilst there is little difference in the
sparked widespread awareness and blame if they are a victim of crime somewhat between genders. Women feeling of safety between women
acknowledgement of the challenges or harassment. This is unfair and tend to have a higher proportion and men when walking in daylight
women face in the UK when representative of the different of journeys for personal business, hours (94% compared to 97%) there
travelling alone. This event is not standards put on men and women shopping and accompanying are stark differences in feelings of
a one-off. Over 70% of women say for their behaviours. In a society that children3, and women generally safety between women and men
that they have experienced sexual strives and legislates for equality for make shorter, but more frequent when walking after dark. In fact,
harassment in public 1. Furthermore, all, public spaces and streetscape journeys when compared to men, only 49% of women reported feeling
a recent survey by Plan International should be inclusive for all to use. We particularly on foot. safe walking in the dark, compared
identified that in the UK, since June need to design solutions to create to 73% of men. Although shocking,
2020, 51% of girls have experienced safe public spaces across the UK — this is perhaps unsurprising when
Feeling safe when travelling is
public sexual harassment 2. The spaces where women can feel safe, over 70% of women in the UK have
an important part of the journey
restrictions associated with the comfortable and that their needs are experienced sexual harassment1 in
experience for everyone, regardless
global pandemic have exacerbated understood and met. public spaces4.
of the journey distance, purpose,
safety concerns for women through
route, mode or timing. However,
restrictions on public space and
The Transport Planning Community research by Transport for London Sexual harassment is the most
the closure of retail, leisure and
has a responsibility for planning and (TfL)3 found a considerable common form of violence against
commerce which has resulted in
shaping public spaces to ensure difference in feelings of safety women and girls5 in the UK. Yet,
fewer people around, particularly at
everyone gets home safely and amongst women when travelling despite this, only 4% of women who
night, to witness any harassment.
moreover, go about their daily lives compared to men. A higher have experienced sexual harassment
with comfort and ease. proportion of women report report it1 to an official organisation.
Women and girls are told to think that safety concerns affect how The main reasons stated for not
and keep themselves safe when often they use public transport, reporting are because women did not
travelling in public and to alter particularly after dark. When feel the incident was ‘serious enough’
their behaviours to reduce the risk it comes to walking, a higher and they didn’t believe reporting
of being attacked. Men are not proportion of whole journeys on would change anything – a level of
routinely asked to do this. This foot are made by women (54%), and harassment is ‘just how it is’.
1 Safe Spaces Now - UN Women UK
2 Crime not Compliment | Plan International UK (plan-uk.org) 3 TfL, women.pdf (tfl.gov.uk)
4 Public spaces defined as public transport, hospitality venues, streets, parks, commons
and other recreational spaces and online spaces.
5 Sexual harassment of women and girls in public places (parliament.uk)Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 5
Feeling unsafe when walking in and the Walk in a Woman‘s Shoes another purpose or for interchanging
public spaces alone is reported campaign10 in Australia) and UK with another transport mode – for
by thousands of women. Even the schemes such as the UN Women example, between home and public
Assistant Commissioner of the UK’s Safe Spaces Now campaign to transport stops/interchanges or
Metropolitan Police stated that she make the UK’s public spaces safer between a place of work and public
felt unsafe when walking alone6. and more inclusive for women, girls transport or a car park. Walking
This impacts everyone – be it you as and marginalised groups11. accounts for a high proportion of
a woman, or as a woman you know. first and last mile journeys. We use
We need to make a change now the term ‘mile’ as a loose definition.
The need for safe public spaces
for women - for your mother, your Whether this distance is shorter or
is paramount and as transport
partner, your sister, your friends, or longer, ensuring personal safety is
planners we have a responsibility
your daughter. the common and vital factor.
and obligation to ensure that we are
There are a number of movements creating services and public spaces The first and last mile is generally
within the UK and globally to tackle that are safe for women; so everyone a small proportion of a journey in
sexual harassment and gender- feels able to travel when and how distance, yet it requires women
based violence both in terms of they like, in both daylight and after to make a disproportionate level
reporting and policy development dark. Practical ‘Safe by Design’ of adjustments to decisions and
and approaches to creating public solutions need to be delivered now behaviours to maximise their safety.
spaces that are safe. These include with accelerated delivery to ensure
locally driven schemes (such as that we build back better for women This research and real life
in London the Women’s Night in the UK post-pandemic. incidences and experiences point
Safety Charter7 and Transport
towards transport planners and
for London’s Report It to Stop It8
We are focussing our call to action urban designers needing to do
campaign), international schemes
on safe by design for first and last better in taking decisions and
(such as Plan International’s
mile journeys. These are made to actions to create a safer first and
#CrimeNotCompliment campaign9 to
begin or complete a journey for last mile journey. This action needs
criminalise public sexual harassment
to be fast and wholesale across all
townscapes.
6 Exclusive: I have felt unsafe on the streets as a woman, says Met officer | Evening Standard
7 Women’s Night Safety Charter | London City Hall
8 Report it to stop it - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)
9 #CrimeNotCompliment - “I just want to be able to walk the streets without feeling a sense of fear” - YouTube
10 Plan International demonstrates what it’s really like to walk like a woman via Cummins&Partners –
Campaign Brief
11 UN Women UK | Gender EqualityGet Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 6
The first and last ‘mile’
Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women
from a woman’s perspective
Let’s look in more detail at the
decision-making processes which
a woman, in this case, Zara, goes
through on her individual journey.
This example will resonate with
every woman. Women shouldn’t have > 70% 51% 4% 54%
to make any adjustments to feel
safe, whether that is changing their
behaviour, changing their route or
even logistical adjustments such as
changing their footwear.
Over 70% of women say that they Since June 2020, 51% of girls Only 4% of women who have When it comes to walking, a higher
have experienced sexual harassment have experienced public sexual experienced sexual harassment proportion of whole journeys on foot
in public. harassment. report it to an official organisation. are made by women (54%)Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 7
A taxi is safe and secure and I’ll be dropped
at my door but its too expensive.
The story of I think the bus is a good option, but I’ve
Zara making it Cycling is quicker but I don’t
feel safe on the roads at night.
been harrassed on the night bus before.
home safely How do I get home
Oh good, there are other women here.
I’ll stand near them at the bus stop.
There’s safety in numbers.
from the Station?
Zara works as a staff nurse at a I’ll walk past the ticket office Thankfully there’s a zebra crossing
children’s hospital based in a City - there are always staff there so I can cross the road quickly.
Centre. She lives 10 miles away and I feel safer.
from the hospital and she commutes
by train. The City Centre railway The alley is a quicker shortcut but it’s
station is conveniently located I’ve already texted my mum so she’ll
dark and feels dodgy with those high
a stone’s throw away from the walls - like there’s no way out.
know I’m on my way home. I wish I didn’t
hospital, but at her home end, she have to do this at my age.
has to walk nearly a mile between I’ll take the high street - it’s well-lit, a
the railway station and her home. few shops are open so I’ll be seen and
Zara works a shift pattern which there will be people around, and its
means shifts can start at 7am and only 10 mins longer.
finish at 10pm. She, therefore,
makes her first and last mile journey
Good thing I wore flats - I’m ready to
to the railway station very early and
I think the bus is a good run if needed. I’d better remove my
late and in the dark for many months headphones so I can hear clearly.
option, but I’ve been harrassed
during the year.
on the night bus before
I’d rather walk in the road here, I can’t see around
those tall bushes, and the street light is broken.
My keys are in my hand so I don’t have to look
Finally, now I can relax.
through my bag whilst standing at the door
Home now - I’ll text my mum to let her
know I’ve arrived home safetly.
→ Figure 1. Zara’s thought process on her journey home from work.Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 8
Let’s consider Zara’s decision making processes
at different stages of her journey.
Pre-Journey – Advance Planning Pre-Journey – Immediately After Zara’s Journey
by Zara Before Zara’s Journey During Zara’s Journey
These are decisions that Zara Zara makes these decisions Zara reflects on her journey when
made when she started working whilst she is on the train before As Zara’s leaves the station on foot:
she gets back safely to her home
at the hospital two years ago. alighting at her home station: as she waits for the kettle to boil
She, however, reviews these and changes out of her uniform:
› Do I look over my shoulder?
decisions from time to time as › Do I adjust my route?
her feelings about her personal › Do I make a last-minute › How do I feel immediately
› Do I text my mum or friend now to adjustment to my route?
safety are in a state of flux. let her know I’m on my way?
afterwards?
› Do I change my walking speed? › Was it a good and enjoyable
› Do I change my shoes so I can walk
› Is it safe for me to make that › How do I react to other people? experience?
faster or run if needed?
journey at all by walking? › Do I try to stay near people who › Did I feel anxious?
› Do I change my clothing so that I
› Which aspects of my journey cause look friendly, such as other women? › Will I change anything for a repeat
don’t ‘stand out’?
me the most concern? › How do I control my anxiety? journey?
› Do I conceal valuable possessions?
› What adjustments do I need to › Do I respond if I hear someone › How do I let the right people know
› Do I wear headphones or use my
make in advance of my journey shouting or trying to get my if I have concerns?
phone?
e.g. retime, reroute, remode? A big attention?
challenge is the fact that I don’t have › Do I let someone know I am about
much flexibility in changing the times to start my last mile journey, or
of my shift or my train and walking activate a location tracking app?
modes
› Do I need a companion/ buddy?
› This again is a challenge as I live on
my own and so nobody could meet
me for my last mile journey
› Do I tell someone I’m making that
journey/ log onto a safety app?Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 9
This highlights 23 key decisions as
part of an activity that takes just 20
minutes! And there are many others.
These and other decision points are
illustrated in Figure 1.
Although Zara’s individual journey CCTV
has been highlighted, it’s important presence
to recognise that issues of safety
Graffiti and
when travelling vary considerably vandalism
Live arrival
information
amongst women — we are not a Active uses but
closed during
homogenous group, and have a evening hours
wide variety of needs, behaviours,
Poorly lit shelter
perceptions and personalities.
Decisions made about journeys,
and the ability to act whilst on a Clean spaces
No pedestrian
priority crossings
journey, particularly those after Streets poorly lit free of litter or median for
safe informal
dark, will also be impacted by crossing
Transparent
other characteristics, such as any Wide, accessible
glass
Good visibility
footways of the street
disability or health condition, if
travelling alone with small children → Figure 2. Asessment of positive (blue) and negative (orange) features of a streetscape and bus stop (Image source: Google 2021)
or whilst pregnant.
Figure 2, right, illustrates the
results of an assessment of an
urban streetscape and bus stop
environment, with opportunities
shown in blue and issues shown in
orange.Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 10
Safe by Design by Women
Our proposed toolkit for
practitioners and delivery partners
Get Home Safe:Get Home
Safe Safe: Safe
Get Home
by Design by Design
Safe:
for Women Safefor
by Women
by Women by Women by Women
Design for
OurOur
Our Safe Safe by Design
by Safe Toolkit
byToolkit
Design
Get Home Safe:Get
Design Toolkit
Home
Safe Get Home
Safe:
by Design Safe Safe:
by
for Women Safe
Design by Women
for
by WomenDesign for
by Women by Women
Conventional ‘Safe by Design’ Looking at these six areas, we have
Our
practice has often overlooked OurOur
or Safe SafeSafe
by Design byToolkit
Design
by Design Toolkit
Toolkit developed a toolkit of opportunities
paid lip service to gender but failed for every streetscape, focussing
to address the specific issues which around those key decision points on
prevail for women during hours of our journeys, to promote safety and
darkness. We need to get practical, security for all.
accessible ‘Safe by Design’ solutions
delivered now. Rapid accelerated Landscape
Landscape Landscape HumanHuman Presence
Human
Presence Presence Digital Digital
Digital
delivery is paramount and we need
collaborative working by all parties
that can influence the first and last Landscape Landscape
Landscape Human
HumanHuman
Presence Presence
Presence Digital
Digital Digital
mile streetscape.
Traditionally, ‘Safe by Design’
has focussed on landscape and
infrastructure. Furthermore, site
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
audits and on site engagement with Infrastructure Community/Social
Community/Social
Community/Social “Love
“Love My My Street”
“Love
Street” My Street”
stakeholders typically take place
outside the hours of darkness.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
‘Look and feel’ factors have often Infrastructure Community/Social
Community/Social
Community/Social “Love
“Love My “Love
Street” My Street”
My Street”
been overlooked. Safe by design
of a streetscape must have a
holistic consideration of a range the
following factors to enable women
to feel safe:Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 11
Opportunity Human Presence › Transparent glass frontages, › Tracking apps / facility on mobile
Areas
allowing people to see into the phones, such as the option in
building and pedestrians the Google maps to share location with
certainty that they can be seen someone for a certain period of time
“Eyes on the Street”, maximising
opportunities for human activity to › Station staff, community officers › Emergency contact apps, e.g.
create a collective sense of safety are present at stations and transport Shake2Safety, bSafe, Circle of 6, or
Landscape and surveillance and reduce interchanges, not just at busy times Kitestring, OneScream
isolation.
› Safe Havens agreed at suitable › Location apps e.g. Red Panic
venues and publicised to provide Button, What3Words
Natural and manmade structures › Active frontage, natural refuge and support for those who
and assets which design in safety, surveillance provides “eyes on the have safety concerns › Digital wayfinding / maps –
ambience and comfort. street” areas are accurately represented,
including new developments and
› A term coined by sociologist and Digital temporary closures
› Planting and vegetation should be urbanist Jane Jacobs, “eyes on the
low to the ground, with dense shrubs street” provide informal surveillance,
not higher than 1m. offering safety and security. Where Infrastructure
there is activity and life, there is a The design and application of
› Trees prioritised over shrubs technological innovation (whether
sense of greater security, and the
sense that someone is there to help on street digital infrastructure
› Planting is clear of major or personal applications and Engineering measures to ‘hard
sightlines if needed. The more people there wire’ in safety, ambience and
are, in general, the safer a space gadgets) to improve safety and
comfort comfort
› Planting is well maintained feels
› Clean and bright looking surfacing › A good mix of 24h and diverse › Good mobile network, with no › Spaces designed for people, not
(compliant with guidance for activity can help this, where possible ‘blackout’ spots just vehicles, and with pedestrian
accessibility, I.e. contrasting colours priority
etc. for visual impairments) › Active building frontages, such › Use of apps (e.g. SafetiPin,
as that found in shops, cafes and Hollaback, Safe And The City) by › Clear lines of sight, good legibility
› Seating has good visibility and is restaurants, and even offices, can local authorities to both track areas without the need for signage
well-lit contribute significantly to this sense that feel unsafe or uncomfortable
of activity and security through › Clear, wide footways
for local women, and to identify and
› Spaces are not overly fortified mutual observation address issues to make women feel › Sufficient street lighting on routes,
with walls and barriers, which can safer
› Main walking route is overlooked, not obstructed by trees or other
obstruct visibility and have the effect
with no dark corners or areas where vegetation
of making spaces feel less safe
people can ‘lurk’Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 12
› Routes designed along activity › Good maintenance and upkeep, › Walk routes with the women who › Community groups involved in
corridors where there will be other damage and vandalism addressed use them, at night, to highlight the design of public spaces – when
people, not back-of-house or along promptly issues people feel engaged and involved
heavily trafficked roads in their communities they work
› Large bins (especially commercial › Promote a sense of engagement, better to help protect it and their
› Routes are accessible for disabled/ waste bins) should be carefully ownership and stewardship amongst neighbours
mobility impaired women who may managed to prevent potential local residents
feel more vulnerable, including security concerns as well as
sufficient width and good quality blocking paths › Behaviour of others on the street
surface – do people pay attention if people
› CCTV presence shout?
› Routes are permeable and
always have a way out, not fenced/ › Wayfinding signage present at › Giving people space – to avoid
walled on both sides, and with good transport interchanges, located in intimidation
connections to other streets central, well-overlooked and well-lit
areas TLC
› Provision of formal pedestrian
priority crossings at street-level and › Bus shelters: Maximise
on desire lines, with frequent areas intervisibility with location/
for informal crossing. Subways and placement of shelter, live journey ‘Look and feel’ aspects which
underpasses can feel especially times, well-lit create a ‘cared for’ streetscape
dangerous for women which the local community are
proud of and take active ownership
› Signal timing favours pedestrians, Community
to preserve and enhance
especially at night, such as with the
use of puffin crossings
› Artwork, murals on blank walls
A fundamental element of
› Safe and comfortable cycle
the localism agenda to make › Reporting mechanism in place
infrastructure, segregated or off-
create Places for People with a for residents to easily report issues
carriageway, and on well-lit routes
community spirit and ethos with maintenance or cleanliness, e.g.
› Secure cycle parking, cycle hire, or Love Clean Streets app, and reports
other micromobility storage areas › Established Safe Havens are are addressed promptly
are well-lit and in areas of activity, present and well-signposted at
not tucked away transport interchanges (e.g station
safe neighbours scheme)Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 13 A Call to Action We are calling for action on this The image in Figure 3 proposes toolkit by the transport planning improvements to address issues community collaborating with identified in the existing context decision makers and funding (shown in Figure 2). partners, such as Local Authorities, Developers or Owners of Estate. This toolkit critically goes beyond the conventional infrastructure features to reflect ‘look and feel’ factors which are intrinsic to how safe, comfortable and connected women feel with public spaces in their lives and work communities. We are committed to an accelerated pilot of safe by design by and for women in a priority public space in a town or City in England. We are seeking nominations for where this toolkit can be used to drive real change and ensure public spaces are inclusive and welcoming where women can travel the first and last mile without adjusting their behaviours.
Get Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 14
Streets and
routes well-lit
CCTV
presence
Active frontage
or other natural Good mobile
surveillance network
Transparent glass
used on bus shelters
for better visibility
Live arrivals
information
Digital wayfinding
and safety apps
Frequent pedestrian
priority crossings,
on desire lines
Routes walked with Clean, litter-free
local women and spaces
vulnerable groups to Wide, accessible
identify issues footways Trees prioritised
over shrubs
→ Figure 3 - Bus stop environment assessed according to ‘Safe by Design by Women’ principles
Good connections
to other routesGet Home Safe: Safe by Design for Women by Women 15
About the Authors Reference List
Adrienne Mathews is a transport Rachel Evans is Cities and Sustainable France, Anthony. (2021, 21 April). Transport for London. (2016, August).
and urban planner working at the Transport Technical Lead at Exclusive: I have felt unsafe on the Report it to stop it. Retrieved from:
intersection of transport and public streets as a woman, says leading https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/
Atkins. Rachel lives and breathes
Met Police officer. Evening Standard. safety/report-it-to-stop-it
realm, with diverse experience transforming the first and last mile
Retrieved from https://www.standard.
including the project management journey safety and experience, co.uk/news/london/exclusive-unsafe- UN Women UK. Gender Equality.
of multi-disciplinary transport and both within her professional career streets-woman-louisa-rolfe-met-police- Retrieved from https://www.
public realm schemes, including and personal life. She is leading officer-b930872.html. unwomenuk.org/.
pedestrian and cycle planning. She is on a pioneering Stations as Places Greater London Authority. (2019, UN Women UK. (2021, March). Safe
specifically interested in the design Programme for West Midlands July). Women’s Night Safety Charter. Spaces Now. Retrieved from https://
and function of streets as spaces of Trains which is placing stations at Retrieved from https://www.london.gov. www.unwomenuk.org/safe-spaces-now.
social and community life, business, the heart of their communities and uk/sites/default/files/wnsc_toolkit_final.
and movement, and passionate making first and last mile journeys pdf.
about creating safe spaces for all safe for the full spectrum of rail Green, Ricki. (2019, 19 February). Plan
women. customers. International demonstrates what it’s
really like to walk like a woman via
Cummins&Partners. Retrieved from:
Kelly Cary leads the Equality and https://campaignbrief.com/plan-
Diversity Impact Assessment international-demonstrate/.
technical area within Transport
House of Commons Women and
Planning. She works across a range Equalities Committee. (2018, 10
of transport and infrastructure October). Sexual harassment of
projects researching and evaluating women and girls in public places:
how transport initiatives and services Sixth Report of Session 2017-19.
impact on diverse communities as Retrieved from: https://publications.
well as users. Kelly has a specific parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/
interest in working with scheme cmwomeq/701/701.pdf.
designers and decision makers Plan International UK. (2020, 23
to ensure schemes are inclusive November). Crime not Compliment.
for all, with a focus on protected Retrieved from https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=bR6rngMiXaA.
characteristic groups.
Transport for London. (2012, April).
Understanding the travel needs of
London’s diverse communities: Women.
Retrieved from: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/
women.pdf.You can also read
