The importance of social infrastructure in supporting physical infrastructure and enabling the development of sustainable cities

Greed, Clara

Abstract

Policy initiatives to tackle the effects of rapid urbanisation, to promote sustainable and healthy cities and to encourage economic development are often characterised by a belief in technological solutions. There is typically emphasis upon physical infrastructural projects and urban planning initiatives, including the development of transport systems. It is argued in this chapter that it is also necessary to provide the social infrastructure that will support and enable all citizens, both women and men, to benefit from such initiatives, and increase their economic, social and physical mobility. For example, in order for women to participate in the workforce, the social infrastructural factors of childcare provision and educational opportunities are essential, along with other vital back-up facilities. This chapter specifically discusses the importance of toilet provision, especially for women, in relation to the ‘journey to work’ and transport infrastructures and then in respect of ‘away from home’ toilets in the workplace and schools that will enable them to participate in the workforce and education. Rather than assuming that women’s needs are met within generic, non-gendered sanitation policies, it is important to take into account biological differences. Therefore, it is vital that women are included in the political processes, decision-making groups and sanitary agendas which determine toilet provision. They need to be included in the relevant social groups, especially in the committees responsible for the design, management and running of public toilets, in order to ensure that their needs are taken into account in physical infrastructural projects.

• Online Publication Date: Apr 19, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: May 26, 2022
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 265-276
• Series Title: Sustainable Development Goals Series
• Book Title: Urban Infrastructuring - Reconfigurations, Transformations and Sustainability in the Global South
• ISBN: 9789811683510
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8352-7_16
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9572814