Women and Public Space: A Ras Al Khaimah Case Study

Abstract

Despite a growing interest in the field of women and environments, the focus is mostly placed on women’s activities and needs in the home with less research on women’s use of public space. This study will examine women’s use of public space in Ras Al Khaimah. It aims at exploring the similarities and differences in women’s use of different public spaces. Two types of public spaces were chosen: educational and recreational. Schools were selected for the former and malls for the latter. Findings of this study suggest that targeted leadership skills program for women at Ras Al Khaimah should be introduced to promote more meaningful engagement in public spaces, and urban public spaces should be designed to meet women’s needs for accessibility and privacy. These findings indicate the necessity of investing in creating culturally responsive public spaces that can be used by women and girls.