Young Urbanist Present: HerCollective
2022's Small Grant Scheme recipients have developed a workshop that encourages a critical analysis of public space with a gender-inclusive lens
Event Recording:
This event has now passed.
Join us to hear from this year's Small Grant Scheme recipients on their project:
HerCollective: workshop development that supports the creative and social interpretation of gendered design
Date: 27 September 2022
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
The built environment surrounds our everyday lives, and the topics of women’s safety and inclusivity have never been more prevalent. Following the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2020 - coinciding with the UN survey that 97% of the UK’s 18-24 year olds had experienced sexual harassment or violence - there has been increased discussion around women's safety in the built environment, both by professionals and the general public. However, there is still a disconnect between this wider discourse and physical design application.
HerCollective was created to aid in that dialogue - and explore the constraints of successful solutions - within the UK’s design and development spheres. At HerCollective, we hope to inspire both women and men, old and young, regardless of ethnicity or sexual orientation, to make inclusive and safer spaces that work better for the entire population and promote gender equality. We strongly agree with the UN that sustainability cannot be achieved without gender equality and so we hope you feel inspired to promote change with us.
With the support of the AoU YU Small Grant Scheme, Amelia and Kirsty have developed a workshop that encourages a critical analysis of public space and its users, using film photography as a means of understanding people and place as a first step in this process.
This event is virtual and will take place via Zoom, the link will be sent to ticket holders in advance of the event. We do hope you can join us on the evening of 27th September, in the meantime, if you have any queries, please relay them to our Young Urbanist Coordinator Roshni Thakker at [email protected]
Amelia Powell, MA (she/her)
Amelia graduated in 2021 from the University of Dundee in the MA Urban Planning course. She is currently working in a Local Authority’s Development Management Team as a Planning Officer. While undertaking her dissertation on the extent to which Scottish planning considers women when planning and designing urban areas, she was appalled by some of the statistics and research she read. It inspired her to continue to deepen her understanding of the importance of gender inclusivity and what can be done whilst educating others on the necessity for the built environment to change.
Kirsty Watt, MArch (she/her)
Kirsty graduated in 2020 from an interdisciplinary Masters course in Architecture with Urban Planning, focusing on community networks in historic cities. She now works for GRAS, a progressive design studio in Edinburgh, alongside her research at HerCollective. Her main interests revolve around the integration of women's services and safe space within historic urban fabrics through the translation of feminist ideals in design interventions, and the effective use of community engagement. Community engagement is key to the inclusion of marginalised communities, and she believes that women need to be at the front of this movement.
