Introduction

Every Sunday morning, the city’s main roads are closed to vehicles and open for pedestrians, turning traffic-heavy streets into areas of activity and community. Although the initiative promotes health and social interaction, most participants are men, with few women visible in these activities. This gender imbalance reveals broader issues of access, comfort, and safety in public urban spaces. Understanding the social and cultural factors that limit women’s participation is essential for making these events more inclusive. 

The Gender Gap in Public Space

Although the car-free program is intended to be a shared experience, observations indicate that men and boys constitute the overwhelming majority of participants. This imbalance reflects broader gendered patterns in how public spaces are perceived and used. Studies on gender-sensitive urban planning have shown that women often perceive male-dominated spaces as less welcoming or even intimidating. Factors such as safety concerns, social norms, and the absence of female role models in public recreational activities contribute to this uneven participation. Exclusion, in this sense, arises not through explicit policy but through social perception.

Culture and Comfort Over Infrastructure

Infrastructure alone cannot ensure equality of participation. Even when streets are physically accessible, cultural and social barriers continue to shape who feels comfortable using them. Research in gender and mobility indicates that women may experience greater self-consciousness in public physical activities, often due to fear of judgment or unwanted attention. Moreover, prevailing social expectations may discourage women from participating in activities typically associated with masculinity, such as football or skating. The distinction between physical access and social access becomes clear: inclusivity depends not only on design but also on cultural attitudes and social norms that influence how spaces are experienced.

Planning with Women, Not for Them

Efforts to make public spaces more inclusive should begin with participatory approaches. Engaging women in the design and organization of car-free events can help identify barriers and preferences often overlooked in top-down planning. Participatory planning sessions, focus groups, or community consultations could reveal what kinds of activities, schedules, and group settings women find comfortable and engaging. Evidence from gender-inclusive urban programs elsewhere suggests that initiatives such as group dance sessions, walking clubs, or storytelling circles can enhance women’s sense of belonging in public spaces. Moreover, involving women as organizers, volunteers, and facilitators may help reshape the social atmosphere of such events and signal that these spaces truly belong to everyone.

Conclusion

Public spaces mirror social dynamics. The visible dominance of men during car-free Sundays points to deeper questions of gender equity in urban life. The initiative represents a positive step toward reclaiming streets for people, yet its full potential depends on achieving meaningful inclusivity. Addressing this imbalance requires both spatial and cultural strategies, recognizing women’s experiences, confronting barriers to participation, and fostering environments that feel safe and welcoming to all. When women and girls participate freely alongside men, car-free Sundays will not only symbolize healthier cities but also more equitable ones.

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