Gendered mobility in Greater Cairo Region: a spatial analysis of safety perceptions and behavioural differences in Giza mass transit nodes

ABSTRACT

Mass transit node (MTN) is one of several means for enhancing community and social engagement, particularly in megalopolitan areas such as Greater Cairo Region (GCR). In GCR, physical proximity – of people commuting, waiting, and performing acts together – characterizes everyday city life and is a major dimension of the public realm. While it enhances social interaction, it simultaneously raises concerns over safety, particularly women’s safety. Therefore, this paper raises the questions: how do women experience proximity in MTN differently from men, how do they perceive safety and how do their experiences and gendered perceptions shape their behaviours in MTN? It attempts to answer these questions by examining the designs of six MTNs in Giza, one of the governorates in GCR and analysing how urban settings shape women’s experiences of safety and space. Through ethnographic walk-along(s), we translate the qualitative data into mental maps of safe/unsafe waiting spots and walking routes. The paper argues that women have more detailed and layered safety concerns. They dramatically make major adjustments to their daily behaviours and spatial practices to maintain safety. In this sense, different gendered perceptions of safety shape the use of spaces and change women’s patterns in the public realm of mass transit.

KEYWORDS:

• gendered mobility
• Greater Cairo Region
• mass transit
• safety perceptions
• visual ethnography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. It transformed into public assets in line with the nationalization policies in the late 50s and early 60s.

2. The 21st century brought in digitally assisted transit applications including Uber, Careem, and Swvl. By 2017, Mwasalat Misr – a privately owned enterprise began plying its fleets through CTA transportation terminals.

3. All photographs and figures are produced by the authors.

4. On 20th of September 2019 Giza governorate announced a development plan for Giza official terminal which included shading and waiting areas, and a pedestrian subway.

5. The data collection is part of a research conducted by author as a part of requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Architectural Engineering submitted in January 2021 at Cairo University. Data were collected between November 2019 and April 2020.

6. By “frequent” we mean they are regular visitors to GST in their daily commuting journeys (at least twice per month over the last three years) and they are familiar with the built environment.