Better-half of Bangalore

Abstract

This graduation stems from my personal interest in gender studies and its deep-rooted connection to the construction of space. Born in a country, where gender inequality is evident in all walks of life, the interest gradually transformed to an urge to study the possible ways this burning issue could be tackled. The intention of the project is to question the status quo that has been inherent and now a part of the daily ways of life. Women in India face many socio-economic challenges in the current cultural context. Through this project, the role of space in the path towards gender equality will be explored. The basic foundation of gender arises from the roles, sometimes stereotyped that have been designated to the different genders. Productive and reproductive roles have been assigned to men and women, respectively on the basis of their biological make. In this project, the productive space or paid work and in spatial terms industry is a subject of study in the context of changing gender roles. Since these roles are not as strictly reinforced as before, the relationship between this productive and reproductive space is important. Home and Industry have been gendered spaces in history, and the spatial separation of the two will be the main theme challenged. The need to re examine the way our cities are planned is established and one of the approaches of providing flexibility for both genders is the objective. To understand the realities, the city of Bangalore in India is chosen with two sectorial industries as case studies. The industries chosen are the garment manufacturing and IT Industry, which have been two of the industries that have seen an increase of women workers. Through the case studies, fieldwork and observation, the thesis will intend to highlight the spatial attributes that affect women and their daily patterns. One of the spatial principles that have been challenged is the segregation of land uses in the city. This was one of the main findings on the basis of which gendering in public space was found to take place. The strategy proposed for the two industries tackle this mono-functional land use. Another spatial characteristic is the suburbanisation of jobs, which restricts economic opportunities to a large population, and in this population, women are one of the vulnerable groups. The freedom to move in cities is an important factor, but with the lack of safety in public space and time as a constraint this freedom is controlled. The strategy also looks at how accessibility within the city can improve the everyday life of women. Therefore, the opportunity of women to be able to access jobs and urban services is a primary component in the organisation of the city. The approach taken in this project is to show how space is a factor in defining gender roles by considering their specific needs. In a way, by providing men and women equal spatial accessibility to services and opportunities, in this case economic, gender inequality can be partially addressed.