The quality of public spaces contributes not only to quality of life and identity, but also to attractiveness, liveability and social cohesion. The Brussels-Capital Region established ]pyblik[ in 2007, with the aim of creating a shared culture around public space in Brussels. ]pyblik[’s Guide to Public Space in Brussels (2017) provides guidelines for the design of a high-quality public space project within a broader vision.

Whilst developing the Guide, we were asked to consider gender and its impact on public space. However, the gender issue highlights an inequality between men and women, whereas public space, by definition, must be a place for everyone and should therefore not reinforce the image of women as victims. It was therefore important to us not to focus solely on women as a user group, but to broaden the gender discussion and address safety and the sense of safety for all users of public space, regardless of their age, gender, background and so on.