Housing an approximate of 20,000 residents, Melbourne CBD is known for its hustle and bustle. Yet behind this developing business district lies a more sinister reality for many women and girls that frequent the locale. Sexual harassment and assault has increased by 7.9% over the past year. Dr. Nicole Kalms, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture at Monash University and founding director of the XYX Lab is exploring the foundations of these incidences to get a better understanding of how to make Melbourne safer.
Source: https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/crime-statistics/latest-crime-data/recorded-offences-3
The XYX Lab are working in conjunction with Plan International, an independent development and humanitarian organisation. Last year, Plan launched a web-based interactive map asking women and girls in Melbourne to report how safe specific spaces made them feel. Participants dropped “pins” on an interactive geo-locative map of the CBD and surrounding suburbs.
Late last year, Plan International launched a campaign asking young women and girls in Melbourne to engage with a web-based interactive map and, over a three month period, comment on how safe and welcome spaces in the city made them feel. The results, demonstrated a diversity of experiences across the locale, putting Melbourne’s layout under the microscope.
The grid layout and variety of architectural designs in Melbourne presents a unique picture when considering the way in which space intersects with peoples behaviours. Dr. Kalms explains that, contrary to popular belief, areas with traditional signs of safety including lighting, frequent foot traffic, and open space plans, were not perceived as safer than their differing counter parts. Participants of the study reported concerns for their wellbeing in both suburbs closer to the city and areas with lower population densities. “We have this perception that busyness and activeness equals safety and its just not true”, Dr. Kalms said.
How does space impact safety in Melbourne? by mihika_h
Interviewee: Dr. Nicole Kalms
Melbourne’s CBD is heralded for being a melting pot of cultures- in many ways, it’s architecture and facilities acts as a reflection of the social and political networks that occupy the area. Dr. Kalms explains that when looking at sexual harassment and assault, it’s important to consider the attitudes and beliefs that undercut them. In particular, she says that the subliminal (or overt) messaging from images and advertisements within the city can have considerable effect on the development of peoples views.
How can advertising shift public perceptions concerning gender? by mihika_h
Interviewee: Dr. Nicole Kalms
