Abstract Body

Latin America is one of the most biodiverse, and yet, unequal regions in the world, with a great share of its urbanized areas critically exposed to the effects of climate change. Many of these areas are characterized by unplanned urbanization, informal settlements, poor infrastructure, and a lack of available data, disproportionally affecting its most vulnerable populations. Women, in particular, are often on the front line of the current multilayer crisis: socioeconomic, sanitary, and environmental. At the same time, they continue to be underrepresented in decision-making processes within the urban planning field.

Gender violence in public spaces, inadequate and unsafe transport systems, and a decline in women’s health due to air pollution, are some of the main issues that women face in urbanized areas. Nonetheless, several female-led gender-sensitive initiatives across the region are addressing many of these challenges alongside the impacts of climate change, emerging as powerful drivers of sustainable urban transformations. From top-down Decarbonization Plans in Central America to bottom-up indigenous strategies on biodiversity conservation, women are leading a path towards a more sustainable urban future. However, in order to disseminate and mainstream these practices in a systematic way, several cultural and governance barriers need to be overcome.

The present study aims to analyze the correlation between non-inclusive urban planning systems in Latin America and their effects on women’s safety, health, and wellbeing. For this, the main barriers that women face in urbanized areas alongside the negative externalities on their health and safety will be identified. Moreover, successful female-led urban transformations across the region will be explored, regarding their governance models, methodologies, and results. Finally, an analysis will be elaborated on how female-led gender-inclusive urban initiatives can become a roadmap for socio-economic and environmental recovery in urban areas of Latin America.