Ibid, p. 3

Jan Gehl’s ‘Life Between Buildings’ states the importance of having a variety of people in public space. Optional activities such as sitting on a bench reading gives the street vibrancy and allows 73 people to dwell in public space, making seating an important addition to the urban realm. The 74 positioning of benches is crucial yet often not thought through. When poorly placed, benches are left unused and become an obstacle rather than a positive addition.75 Figure 28 shows benches that are almost unusable as they are oriented towards a busy road, therefore used infrequently because of the undesirable view. Figure 29 shows seating that is rarely in use, as positioned where optional activity does not occur and therefore there is no reason for people to dwell in this area. Figure 30 shows an improved positioning of a bench, allowing people to dwell in active places, increasing social interactions. The placement, however, is not perfect. Being placed in the middle of this public space does not offer security or anonymity when sitting alone. This reinforces the female boundary of not having the opportunity to move through the city independently and comfortably. These examples are insincere attempts at creating comfortable spaces for informal social activity.

76

77

78 79

Figure 25: Diagram of bench facing road by author

Figure 28: Photograph of benches on Arundel Gate by author Figure 26: Diagram of bench in space used for necessary activity by author

Figure 29: Photograph of benches on Howard Street by author

Figure 27: Diagram of bench with no protected Back by author

Figure 30: Photograph of Bench on Fargate by author

73 Jan Gehl and Jo Koch, Life Between Buildings (London: Island Press, 2011), p. 11. 77 Ibid

Night

Although a walk through the city centre at night might not sound safe, I feel relatively secure. I know that most of the route is active. There is a lot more security when I know the area.

This experiment is meant to challenge the time limit that women tend to face when exploring cities. At certain times of day, women must either travel with others or check in religiously with a friend in case something were to happen.

80

‘Men do not tell their friends to text them when they get home’

81

Darkness creates significant limitations for women in the city. This became particularly prevalent during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recreational spaces such as gyms were closed and the only option for exercise was outdoors. While this was unpleasant for all, there was a particular disadvantage for women, who feared harassment and therefore felt unsafe participating in exercise at night. Regardless of the pandemic, there has always been the unspoken need to pay for transport or walk in groups to feel safe at night, resulting in additional cost implications and reduced female access to recreational spaces.

82 83

Figure 31: Map showing intended route with auto-ethnographic night sketch OBOS harassment data by author

80 Leslie Kern, Feminist City (London: Verso, 2020), p. 70. 83 Leslie Kern, Feminist City (London: Verso, 2020), p. 35.