The Story of Woman S1 E9. Woman and Cities: Leslie Kern, Feminist City
In this episode, I talk with urban scholar Leslie Kern about her book, Feminist City.
We tend to think about our built environment as fixed and nothing to do with sexism, discrimination or bias but like everything else in our world, our cities are shaped by gender, as they were designed for one type of man, at the exclusion of women.
Cities aren’t built to accommodate women’s bodies, women’s needs, or women’s desires. So what would a feminist city look like?
In our conversation, Leslie exposes what is hidden in plain sight: the social inequalities embedded into our cities, homes, and neighbourhoods, and how we might change this. Some topics of discussion include:
- What is “the female fear”, and why women are not being irrational in feeling fearful
- Navigating the city as a parent
- Why women often need headphones in order to be left alone (”smile, sweetheart!”)
- Street safety and why policing is not the answer to keeping women safe
- How the lack of public infrastructure for care work deepens inequality among women as we participate in multiple layers of exploitation just to keep ourselves afloat
- By reimagining our cities we can build more just and sustainable environments for all
And more!
The quotes you will hear read during the interview are taken directly from the book, Feminist City.
Transcription is available here
Mentioned in the episode:
- Blue Monday by Nicci French
- Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson
- Feminism Interrupted by Lola Olufemi
- Sex and The Revitalized City by Leslie Kern
- Safetipin app
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