Why Spatial Analysis Matters: Designing for Women Means Designing for All

By Design 3 Architecture

In the world of architecture and urban planning, space isn’t neutral. Every sidewalk, doorway, bus stop, or public park reflects assumptions about who will use it, how, and when. But what happens when those assumptions overlook half the population?

As architects, our job is not just to build structures, but to shape lives. That begins with spatial analysis—a tool that goes beyond physical measurements to interrogate who the space serves, and who it excludes.

Seeing the Invisible: Women in Design Data

Caroline Criado Perez’s "Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men" lays bare the truth: our built environments are rife with gender bias. From office temperatures set to male metabolic rates to crash-test dummies modelled on the average male body, women’s experiences and bodies have historically been treated as deviations from a “default” male user.

In urban design, this manifests in real consequences. Public transport systems, for instance, are often designed for a linear commute—from suburb to city center and back—while women are more likely to “trip chain,” combining work, school drop-offs, groceries, and caregiving responsibilities into a single journey. If we don’t analyze movement patterns by gender and role, we risk building cities that actively hinder everyday lives.

The Feminist City: A Blueprint for Inclusion

Urban geographer Leslie Kern, in her book "Feminist City," challenges us to reimagine urban space as a place of care, equity, and justice. She argues that feminist design doesn’t mean creating “spaces for women” but rather spaces that acknowledge interdependence, caregiving, vulnerability, and difference.

Spatial analysis through a feminist lens means asking:

• Are public spaces safe and accessible at all times of day?

• Are there well-lit, overlooked areas for walking and waiting?

• Is there seating that accommodates children, strollers, or fatigue?

• Are wayfinding tools, signage, and navigation inclusive of neurodivergent users?

Designing with women in mind is inherently inclusive—because it forces us to think in terms of bodies that are not always strong, tall, mobile, or unencumbered. That includes children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those simply navigating public life with fear or care obligations.

Spatial Analysis as Social Justice

At Design 3 Architecture, we believe that every project must begin with the question: Who is this space for? Spatial analysis allows us to map behaviours, needs, flows, and exclusions. We use it to:

• Audit safety through lighting, visibility, and surveillance lines.

• Assess accessibility for people with mobility devices, prams, or sensory needs.

• Evaluate equity in access to green spaces, amenities, and public toilets.

• Incorporate empathy by modeling varied user experiences, not just “average” ones.

Inclusive design isn’t a checklist—it’s a mindset. And spatial analysis is the evidence base we use to make that mindset visible, measurable, and actionable.

Designing for Women = Designing for All

When we design for the “default male,” we design for a narrow slice of the population. But when we design for women—and with an understanding of intersectional identities—we create spaces that work better for everyone. The elderly benefit from better seating and lighting. Children are safer in traffic-calmed zones. People with disabilities gain mobility and dignity. And yes, women get to move through the city with greater freedom, autonomy, and comfort.

Ultimately, designing with spatial analysis isn’t just about smart design. It’s about human-cantered architecture. Because a truly inclusive city is one that makes space for everyone to belong.