Browsing by Author "Karami, S."

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Women and Public Space Beyond the West: Exploring Cultural and Political Dynamics in the Middle East and the Kurdish Context
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Alizadeh, H.; Tuncer, S.; Kohlbacher, J.; Karami, S.
Building on the theoretical foundations of the previous, which explored the socio-spatial dynamics of urban spaces and their potential for women’s empowerment, this chapter turns to the realities of women’s engagement with urban public spaces outside the Western context. We first examined the critical role of public spaces in promoting social interaction, cultural diversity and gender equality, highlighting the need for inclusive urban environments that challenge entrenched gender norms. Chapter 3 extends this analysis to the Middle East and the Kurdish region, examining how cultural, religious and historical factors influence women’s access to and experience of urban public spaces. This research highlights the duality of women’s public life in the Middle East context: the persistent challenges posed by patriarchal ideologies and the transformative opportunities offered by urbanisation, modernisation and globalisation. By focusing on the broader context of the Middle East and the specific experiences of Kurdish women, this chapter illuminates how urban public spaces can serve as arenas for empowerment, resistance, and the redefinition of gender roles in societies strongly marked by tradition and change. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Case Studies of Vienna and Cologne: Migrant Kurdish Women’s Experiences of Urban Public Spaces in Austria and Germany
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Alizadeh, H.; Tuncer, S.; Kohlbacher, J.; Karami, S.
This chapter focuses on the case studies of Vienna and Cologne, two prominent European cities with a rich historical heritage and a vibrant multicultural population, respectively. By examining the historical development of these cities, this chapter establishes the foundation for understanding how these evolutions have influenced public space and social structures, particularly from a feminist perspective. This historical perspective is complemented by field studies, conducted through surveys of women in both cities, which provide insights into their daily interactions with urban public spaces, their perceptions of safety, their social engagement, and the opportunities and barriers they face. In this manner, the chapter places the cities’ historical legacies in juxtaposition with their modern social landscapes, thereby demonstrating how these contexts shape women’s experiences in different yet interconnected ways. This comparative approach not only highlights the unique challenges and opportunities in Vienna and Cologne but also offers broader insights into the ways in which governance, culture and urban planning influence gender integration in European cities. By establishing a linkage between urban past and present, this chapter serves to enhance our comprehension of the manner in which public spaces reflect and influence social dynamics, thus providing a foundation for the development of inclusive environments for women. In order to comprehend the contemporary experiences of women in these cities, it is necessary to commence with an examination of their historical and cultural foundations, with Vienna serving as a case in point. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Introduction: Urban Public Spaces and Women’s Empowerment from the Middle East to Europe
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Alizadeh, H.; Tuncer, S.; Kohlbacher, J.; Karami, S.
This introductory chapter lays the foundation for the book by addressing three key areas. Firstly, it presents a conceptual framework for an intercultural study of women’s empowerment in urban public spaces, viewing these spaces as socio-spatial arenas where power relations are constantly negotiated, and highlighting the gap in comparative research between the urban experiences of women in the Middle East and Europe. Secondly, it presents the methodological approach and a comparative case study of the experiences of Kurdish women in Sanandaj (Iran), Sulaimani (KRG), Vienna (Austria) and Cologne (Germany), supported by standardised surveys and statistical analyses. Thirdly, the chapter provides readers with a roadmap by summarising the scope and focus of subsequent chapters, contextualising the book within broader debates on gender, space, and empowerment. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Gendered Urban Experiences Across Cultures: Synthesizing Pathways to Empowerment
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Alizadeh, H.; Tuncer, S.; Kohlbacher, J.; Karami, S.
This chapter presents a comprehensive cross-cultural comparison that brings together the theoretical foundations developed in Chap. 2, the regional dynamics explored in Chap. 3, and the rich empirical findings from the case studies of Sanandaj and Sulaimani in Chap. 4 and Vienna and Cologne in Chap. 5. Our central aim is to weave these different strands together to shed light on the multilayered experiences of women in urban public spaces in diverse socio-cultural and political landscapes. A particular focus is on comparing the lived realities of Kurdish women, exploring how their interactions with and paths to empowerment in urban public spaces converge or diverge in Middle Eastern contexts—particularly Rojhalat (Iran) and Bashur (KRG) as represented by Sanandaj and Sulaimani—and in European contexts as exemplified by Vienna and Cologne. This comparative perspective allows us to examine the nuanced interplay of culture, tradition, and modernity in shaping women’s urban experiences. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Gendering Urban Theory: Rethinking Urban Public Space and Women’s Empowerment
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Alizadeh, H.; Tuncer, S.; Kohlbacher, J.; Karami, S.
Public spaces, as vibrant arenas of social interaction, have the potential to challenge gender inequalities and promote women’s empowerment, a core theme of this book. Chapter 2 explores the theoretical basis of how urban public spaces, as socio-spatial phenomena, are shaped by and shape gendered dynamics. It offers critical insights into their ability to redefine women’s roles in urban life. It begins by defining urban spaces as multi-layered socio-spatial constructs, drawing on theorists such as Henri Lefebvre to view them not as mere physical constructs, but as dynamic arenas for social action that are collectively produced and imbued with cultural meaning. Based on this broad understanding, the focus narrows to urban public spaces, which are presented as the heartbeat of urban life, crucial for fostering social cohesion and community engagement. The discussion then turns to the gendered nature of these important spaces. Drawing on feminist urban studies, the chapter explores how spatial practices perpetuate inequality, addressing the persistent barriers that limit women’s full participation in urban life, such as economic exclusion, political marginalisation, and gender-based violence. Building on this, the chapter examines the role of public spaces in managing cultural diversity. Through the integration of intersectional and intercultural approaches, the chapter contrasts various policy models, arguing that carefully designed public spaces are vital for bridging social divides and fostering genuine inclusion. Finally, it explores how women are challenging these restrictions by asserting their ‘right to the city’, viewing the appropriation of public spaces as a vital means of empowerment and spatial justice. Through this progressive exploration of the nature of space itself and its role in gender dynamics and cultural inclusion, the chapter prepares the ground for subsequent empirical analyses. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Women’s Empowerment Through Public Space: Gendered Urban Experiences Across the Middle East and Europe
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Alizadeh, H.; Tuncer, S.; Kohlbacher, J.; Karami, S.
This book explores the transformative power of urban public space for women's empowerment. Addressing a critical gap in the existing literature, the authors develop an empirically grounded methodology to measure women's interactions and empowerment in contemporary public spaces across diverse urban settings. The book provides a practical framework for researchers and urban planners to assess women's socio-spatial experiences in specific urban contexts and work toward improving public spaces through a gender-responsive approach. Beyond its contribution to the urban planning and design literature, particularly in the area of women and public space, this book highlights the central role of public space in enriching women's social lives and promoting their empowerment. It expands our understanding of the role of women in the urban fabric and offers valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to create more equitable, inclusive and empowered cities. The book presents a fresh perspective on the intersection of gender, urbanism, and empowerment, and invites readers to engage in the ongoing dialogue shaping the future of urban public spaces. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Conclusion and the Way Forward: Advancing Inclusive Urban Futures through Women’s Agency
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Alizadeh, H.; Tuncer, S.; Kohlbacher, J.; Karami, S.
This concluding chapter brings together the key insights from our comprehensive examination of the complicated relationship between women and urban public spaces. Building on r the detailed case studies and cross-cultural comparisons, it synthesizes the findings to highlight the transformative potential of urban public spaces as sites of empowerment and social advancement for women. With a keen eye, this chapter distils the essence of the book’s findings, demonstrating how public spaces can serve as powerful catalysts for women’s empowerment. It underscores that when these spaces are designed and managed inclusively, they transcend their physical boundaries and become arenas for social progress. Beyond synthesizing key insights, this chapter also reflects on lessons learned from the various urban contexts explored in this book and offers practical recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and advocates seeking to create more inclusive and empowering public spaces for women. These recommendations emphasize the importance of recognizing women’s agency in urban environments and affirm the role of public space as a catalyst for gender equality and transformative social change. By fostering a sense of belonging, safety, and empowerment, public spaces can break down barriers, challenge dominant norms, and help usher in a new era of urban inclusivity. T The book closes with a resounding message: public spaces, when thoughtfully designed and embraced, hold the extraordinary power to reshape the narrative of women’s urban experiences. Through recognition, reflection, and action, a clear path emerges –one where public spaces become a source of strength, resilience, and empowerment for women, and where cities evolve into vibrant and equitable ecosystems for all. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Case Studies of Sanandaj and Sulaimani: Women’s Experiences of Urban Public Spaces in Rojhalat (Iran) and Bashur (KRG)
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Alizadeh, H.; Tuncer, S.; Kohlbacher, J.; Karami, S.
This chapter focuses on the case studies of Sanandaj and Sulaimani, two major Kurdish cities in Iran and KRG, respectively. Looking at the past - from the founding of the two cities to today’s challenges of urbanisation and modernisation, we aim to lay the groundwork for understanding how these developments have shaped their urban identities, public spaces and social structures, particularly for women. Complementing this historical perspective, field studies conducted through surveys of women in both cities provide insights into their daily interactions with public spaces, their perceptions of safety, their social engagement, and the opportunities and obstacles they encounter. Through this structure, the chapter juxtaposes the cities’ historical legacies with their modern social landscapes and shows how these contexts shape women’s experiences in different yet interconnected ways. This comparative approach not only highlights the particular challenges and opportunities in Sanandaj and Sulaimani but also offers broader insights into the ways in which governance, culture and urban planning influence gender inclusion and equality in Kurdish cities. By bridging past and present, this chapter deepens our understanding of how public spaces reflect and influence social dynamics and offers lessons for promoting inclusive environments for women. This chapter builds on the empirical data and key findings initially presented in a journal article (Alizadeh et al., European PlanningStudies, 32(10):2203–2228, 2024). Here, the data are placed in a deeper historical context and reanalyzed to provide unique insights for this volume. To understand women’s experiences of urban public spaces in these cities today, it is important to begin by exploring their historical and cultural foundations. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.