Examining the Impact of the Changing Role of Women on the Built Environment

In this essay, Luis Rodriguez traces the demographic and socio-economic trends that reflect the changing role of women in society, and their impact on the way communities are planned and designed.

1 minute read

April 16, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

Rodriguez begins his essay by tracing from the beginning of the 20th century the changing role of women in Canadian society, from one primarily as caretaker for their family and home, to progressively increasing "leadership in the social, economic, and political fronts."

Rodriguez then looks at each of the seven generations of women born in Canada in the last 100 years. He describes each generation's current housing characteristics and projects what he believes their housing needs will be in the future.

Pulling out specific trends, such as the increase in women living alone, their growing financial power, and increasing levels of home-ownership, Rodriguez "suggests that now is the time for community policy makers, planners, designers, developers, and the housing industry in general, to start tapping into women's unique housing and community needs and preferences."

FULL STORY: The rise of women’s role in society: impacts on housing and communities

Sunday, January 29, 2012 in Fused Grid

Housing Social / Demographics Canada

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.