#WOMENABILITYHOUSTON DOWNTOWN
About the walk The walk was organized in partnership with
About the 13 walkers:
61,5 %
85%
36-65 Y.O.
31%
0%
15% 7,5%
TOPIC EVALUATION EVALUATION Participants gaveTOPIC a general evaluation on a scale from 1 to 5 of each topic . More detailed assessments are presented on the following pages.
26-35 Y.O.
- 25 Y.O.
+ 66 Y.O.
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Special thanks to our walkers Linda, Caitlin, Dianna, Julia, Lomi, Ronell, Jay, Beth, Ginny, Didier, Smita, Sukhada, Caitlin
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In the area of downtown, Houston
The walkers enjoy seeing green spaces and improved sidewalks. But they don’t like to see broken sidewalks, cigarette buds or unpleasant architecture. .
Touching dirt in the city or walking on uneven paths is an issue for the citizens.
They do not like the taste of fumes.
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They enjoy listening to the birds and the various city sounds. But they don’t like hearing traffic noise.
They like the smell of the food. But the smell of exhaust fumes and grease are unpleasant.
MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION
Because women and men have different mobility habits, and therefore different needs, we asked the women of our walks how frequently they use the various modes of transportation and why they choose so. We also asked them what their wishes were in terms of mobility, so that officials can focus on improving the infrastructure to women’s benefit.
PHOTO PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS Improve public transportation network, especially tramway lines Create more bike lanes
Create more walkable neighborhoods
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Frequency and wish about travel modes Mode
Frequency +/++
Wish +/89%
55%
22%
CONVENIENT BUT CONGESTED. 89% of the respondents use their car frequently or very frequently. Although, all of them wish they could use it less. ENJOYABLE BUT NOT ADAPTED. 55% of the respondents enjoy walking in the city especially by the bayou trails. But they think the sidewalks are not adapted to pedestrians. PLEASANT BUT DANGEROUS. Biking is seen as a pleasant means of transport but it is dangerous to use it in the city. Only 22 % of the respondants use it frequently.
22%
CONVENIENT BUT NOT EXTENDED ENOUGH. Only 22% of the respondents use the subway frequently . All of them wish they could use it more. However, at the moment, the coverage of the network is not large enough.
12,5%
USEFUL BUT EXPENSIVE. 12,5% use taxis frequently or very frequently. Taxis are convenient to go to the airport and Uber is a great alternative but the service is actually not that safe and using a taxi is expensive.
45%
O%
IMPROVED BUT STILL NOT ADEQUATE . None of the respondents use buses frequently or very frequently and 55 % never use them. Buses have been improved but their frequency and network coverage are still low. FAST BUT NOT SAFE. Using a scooter is convenient but the roads are not adapted to it (potholes, size of the roadways…).
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57% like transportation shelters
+
11% do not like the
conditions for transporting bikes on public transportation
About urban signs 67% of the respondents are not happy with maps in their city.
67% think they are not enough street signs in their city.
87,5% complained that there were no or not enough bicycle paths, which makes it dangerous to ride a bike in the city.
89% don’t like Ads in their city. They would rather see public campaigns against street harrasment.
78% believe they are too few streets lights.
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89% of the respondents are satisfied with the street signs in Houston
FAMILY AND LOVE
We believe that the more welcoming, attractive and inclusive the public space is to all, the safer women will be in it. This section focuses on women’s everyday life experience in public space.
PHOTO PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS Create more enjoyable green public spaces to walk, play, hang out, dance… Improve the sanitation facilities in order to keep the city clean (public restrooms, dog parks, trash cans...) Change the image of breastfeeding in public spaces
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With your family
75% believe Houston needs more safe spaces for women to change and 87,5 % to breastfeed. Accoirding to the respondents, the city does not seem « receptive » to breastfeeding in public.
67% of the respondants believe that the environment is not adapted to old people, who would need more walking space in the street.
71% of the respondents think the urban environment is adapted to pregnant women. But 56 % don’t like being with children. The city should improve its sidewalks and crosswalks signalization.
60% believe there is a great range of green areas but they would need more open spaces within the city for children to play safely in.
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The city does not seem “receptive” to breastfeeding in public
Love on the streets You can wear anything, but you might be harassed or get too much attention
100 % of the women respondents in Houston feel comfortable wearing anything they want.
100%
90% think it is safe to express your sexual orientation in public spaces. But in some areas it is not safe for transgender people to express their identity (neighborhoods, suburbs, rural areas around Houston...)
of the respondents feel free to hold hands in public space,
82% 90 % of the respondants feel comfortable kissing in public but ÂŤ same sex couples only in certain areas Âť.
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Believe of having access to contraceptive in the public space.
SECURITY
Security is the major issue faced by women in public space. Either out of experience or by feelings, it alters their perception and ownership of public space and their right to the streets. In this section we will see what makes space insecure for women and how we can improve it.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS Encourage more human presence in the streets Improve the public lighting and public equipment especially at bus stops Change the culture of public harassment
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PHOTO
Street harassment Frequency legend
WEEKLY
MONTHLY
40%
ANNUALY
20%
10%
NEVER
30%
Oral harassment (whistles, shouting, …) is part of the weekly life of 40% of the respondents in Houston.
40%
HELP
70%
30% of the women respondents are victims of physical harassment on a annualy basis. 70% of them never face physical harassment.
20%
HELP
60%
40% are being followed on an annual basis and 60 % of the repondants have never been followed.
30%
Some of their worst experiences…
HELP
87%
80%
20 % have witnessed or experienced violence in the public space on an annual basis.
Few months ago, I was walking with my friend when a group of men driving around started screaming at us. Then a man started threatening us. My reaction: my friend and I ran to take shelter at a Walgreens and waited for Uber”
HELP
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of the women respondents would report to the police if they are victim of a crime.
ACTIVITIES
How can women enjoy their city to the fullest? Access to sports, nature, socializing spots… How can the city create a more attractive urban public space for women to take their share of their city?
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS Create more green spaces to practice outdoor activities Create more murals Create more small public spaces safe for the children to play in
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PHOTO
Enjoying your city
87,5% of the respondents believe that there should be more women public workers in the streets
60% believe their access to sport facilities is limited. They want more public facilities.
82% of the respondents feel satisfied with the existing green spaces.
100% state that the art facilities are diverse and easily accesible in the city.
75% would like to see public services more equally distributed.
56% Are not satisfied : they believe shops should be more accessible without using a car.
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73% agree that socializing space in the community is pleasant (Midtown Park)
For a clean city
64% of the respondents are satisfied with the garbage bins in the city. But they should be more evenly allocated in the city.
78% Think that the equipments for animals are satisfying, especially the dog park in Midtown. They need more of them.
78% Of the respondents like the graffitis in Houston.
We want more nice murals !
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60% Of the respondants lament the lack of public bathrooms in Houston.
Feedback
PHOTO
According to the respondents, this exploratory walk allowed them to discover a great mix of urban environment. They were able to identify the issues and the qualities of their city. They saw car oriented areas and desolated areas but they also admired the smart planning of Midtown and the numerous people enjoying it. A feeling of love and hate emerges of this activity. The group was both proud of their city and angry at its problems‌ they felt a mix of emotions. But mostly, love conquered. It was a nice experience that provided them with another way to explore and enjoy their city. Most of the respondents said they would have done this walk under certain conditions (not alone, not in the dark, not in certain areas‌).
I could hear birds, there were beautiful green spaces, if only these things were exploited
It was a pleasant evening I saw a few new places I did not know
Mad at some of the physical obstacles like missing sidewalks, and utility, pole right in the middle of an already narrow sidewalk! But other wise, safe enough.
A mix of emotions. Mostly dismay that in Houston it is still so hard to build kind of friendly, wonderful places that feel good for community and human connection
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About men Believe there is gender discrimination in public space.
Better understand how women feel in public space.
PHOTO
Feel concerned about the question of gender in public space.
Will modify their behavior after the walk. (“Because I already respect women in the street”)
Be conscious of comfort of women and how I might look or act to make them feel safe or unsafe
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What can WE do ? What can women do? Create awareness about the subject, be more present in local political bodies, take ownership of public space, get engaged and speak up loud for what women want‌ Create a collective voice in order to be heard.
What can NGOs do? Advocate for change, partner with cities industries, raise awareness through campaigns, education of public officials, education of the citizens.
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What can men do? Raise awareness, pressure local officials, be more respectful of women in the streets, let women determine their choice, be more conscious about the different needs and visions of women.
What can the government do? Insure a more equal Representation of women street names, monuments and landmarks. Create a gender equality office in the planning department of Houston. Have policy makers, engineers, planner do more women listening sessions. Improve pedestrian, biking and public transportation infrastructures.
Special thanks to
Caitlin McNeely & Sukhada Tatke PHOTOS
For organizing the walk with us! *Analysis & editing of the results by Womenability with the precious help of Clémentine NOURDIN
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