Women Engineers Are Redesigning Our Cities: Creating Public Spaces That Are Inclusive and Climate-Resilient

 Public open spaces are the heart of any city—parks where children play, squares where people gather, green corridors that offer peace and fresh air, and streets that connect us. But as cities face the dual challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change, these vital spaces are under threat. Flooded streets and overheated parks aren’t just signs of poor infrastructure—they also highlight deep social inequalities in how our cities are built. We need a new approach: one that’s both climate-resilient and inclusive.

Green public spaces improve urban life in many ways. According to UN-Habitat, they help people stay physically active, support mental health, and encourage stronger communities. Studies show that time in nature reduces stress and noise pollution while boosting well-being. So, green spaces are not just nice to have—they're essential for healthy and livable cities.

To face the climate crisis, we must rethink our urban landscapes. Instead of fighting nature, we should work with it—allowing natural systems to flourish within our cities.

As an architect, urban planner, and designer, my career has been about bringing nature back into urban life. From shaping disaster risk policies with the Government of Nepal to designing open spaces in Kathmandu and leading climate-resilient infrastructure projects with UNOPS, my goal has always been the same: to create public spaces that are safe and functional for everyone—especially women.

A space that works for women usually works better for everyone.

Through the Cities4Women project, we’ve been designing parks and public spaces as essential urban infrastructure. These include city parks, neighborhood greens, wetlands, riversides, streetscapes, and marketplaces. They serve multiple purposes—absorbing rainwater to reduce flooding, replenishing groundwater, cooling the city with urban forests, and cleaning the air. We use natural, low-carbon materials and prioritize local and sustainable building methods. These are not just environmentally smart solutions—they also make cities more beautiful and livable.

But climate resilience alone isn’t enough. Public spaces must also be inclusive. As reports like Cities Alive and Cities Alliance emphasize, most cities have historically been designed by and for men. That often leaves out the needs of women, caregivers, and marginalized groups. When public spaces are designed with women’s input, barriers—both physical and social—begin to disappear. That opens up new opportunities for everyone.

In Nepal, the Cities4Women: Inclusive and Climate Resilient Urbanization project is changing how cities are built. We bring women and community members into the design process from the start. The changes they ask for are often simple but powerful: better lighting, safer walkways, ramps for strollers and wheelchairs, clean public toilets, shaded seating areas, and places for small businesses.

By including these features, we’re doing more than just improving infrastructure—we’re building stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities. We’ve placed urban planners in each of the seven municipalities involved in the project. The work is guided by the Ministry of Urban Development and supported by the European Union, the Government of Finland, UNOPS, UN-Habitat, and Cities Alliance.

As a woman in a field still dominated by men, I’ve found that truly inclusive, resilient design is less about technical skills and more about listening. Listening to the woman who avoids parks after dark, the child who needs space to play, the elderly person seeking shade, and the community hoping for dignity and connection.

On this Women in Engineering Day, it’s important to recognize that women’s perspectives are not just helpful—they’re essential. Women often experience cities differently: they walk more, use public transportation more, and often care for children and older relatives. These everyday experiences shape a more thoughtful, inclusive, and effective way to design our cities.

By leading diverse teams, mentoring young professionals, and pushing for policy change, women engineers and planners are helping build cities where everyone can thrive.

Moving forward, we need a shared commitment from city leaders, planners, designers, and engineers to embrace truly participatory, gender-responsive design. And we must support the women in this field who are leading the way toward better urban futures.

Let’s build cities where every park, street, and public space reflects our dedication to a sustainable, fair, and resilient tomorrow—for all.