Gender and space: Gender based differences and inequalities in accessing urban space

This thesis aims to investigate the inequalities and obstacles faced by women in accessing urban spaces and urban institutions that are rooted in gender relations but also in demographic, cultural and socio-economic differences that intersect with gender relations. The main hypothesis of this thesis is that the women's experiences of urban space, patterns of spatial mobility, ability to access urban institutions and services are not bereft of socio-economic differences and inequalities that exist among women. On the contrary, we argue that these differences and inequalities are materialized in spaces and experienced through spaces (micro and macro spaces such as neighborhoods, towns and cities we live and work). In order to avoid theoretical, methodological and political problems of a research design that seeks to investigate women's access to "urban rights" but is wrongly based on a conceptualization of a "single and homogenous women's identity", we investigated a number of neighborhoods in Aydın city center that differ from each other demographically, socio-economically and culturally. We then selected 4 different neighborhoods, conducted face to face questionnaires with 30 women in each neighborhood totaling 120 women. The results of our research show that women's access to urban services, urban institutions, their ability and patterns of movement vary according to socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the neighborhoods they live in. Whereas, we also observed that in general, these relations and capabilities are overall shaped by patriarchal norms and division of labor. In addition, we also found that the majority of women do not feel safe in the city, are forced to shape and limit their existence and movement in public spaces according to these norms and even internalize these norms. However, we also found that the heavy majority of women think that women should have more power and saying in local governance bodies and that a city where women share the power will be a women friendly city, a livable city for women. KEYWORDS: City, Women, Gender, Space, Aydın