The Feminist Park Podcast – Un/Seen Spaces: Designing for Liberation!

Urban heat is not just a weather issue, it is a mental health and justice issue. This episode traces how urban design, materials, and the erasure of nature create hostile microclimates that raise stress, anxiety, and risk for mental disorders, much like past environmental hazards such as poor sanitation or flooding once did. Inspired by 19th‑century public health design, the authors argue that extreme heat must be reframed as a human‑magnified disaster, demanding deliberate, climate‑sensitive planning rather than being dismissed as “natural.” At the heart of the discussion is thermal well‑being: everyone’s right to restorative, comfortable, and safe thermal conditions in streets, parks, and homes.​Linking this to climate gentrification in Barcelona, the episode shows how heat‑adaptation measures—like new cool parks or climate shelters—can unintentionally fuel displacement when they raise property values and rental prices in already vulnerable neighbourhoods. Using a participatory vulnerability index, Calderón‑Argelich and colleagues reveal that those most exposed to heat often have the fewest resources to adapt, while officials and grassroots groups diverge on whether infrastructure or housing justice is the real solution. For the Feminist Park Project, these insights are central: the park must function as a cooling, climate‑resilient refuge that supports mental health, without triggering green or climate gentrification. This means centring marginalized residents in design and governance, treating thermal comfort as a feminist right to the city, and ensuring that any cooling benefits do not come at the cost of displacement.Article: "Cityscapes, Climate, and Mental Health: Designing Cities for Thermal Wellbeing"Authors: Peter J. Crank, Paul CoseoArticle: "Co-Mapping Vulnerability to Climate Gentrification in the Context of Urban Heat: A Participatory Index at the Metropolitan Scale" Authors: Amalia Calderón-Argelich, Isabelle Anguelovski, Eider Etxeberria, Lisa Hannuschke, Andréanne Chu Breton-Carbonneau, Antonio López-Gay, Galia Shokry, Emilia Oscilowicz, Josh Lown, Patrice C.Williams, Elena Lacort, Minerva CamposThe Feminist Park Project is a Berlin‑based feminist urbanism initiative that aims to create the world’s first intersectional feminist park—an experimental green space designed through the lenses of gender justice, environmental justice, and anti‑gentrification. Grounded in research on green gentrification, public health, and just ecofeminist cities, it responds to evidence that conventional parks and urban planning often exclude women, FLINTA*, BIPoC, queer communities, and low‑income residents, or even accelerate displacement when “greening” is not paired with housing and social protections. The Feminist Park Project is a research‑driven, storytelling‑rich experiment in feminist urbanism that asks a simple but radical question: what would it mean to build a park for those who would rather “choose the bear than the man” in public space—women, queer and trans people, migrants, racialized communities, and anyone whose very existence is political. Drawing on debates like the man vs bear thought experiment and books such as Feminist City: Claiming Space in a Man‑Made World, the project treats everyday urban issues and challenges—green gentrification in Barcelona districts, social injustice, urban squalor, transit inequities, and unsafe streets—as design problems that feminist spaces must confront, not reproduce. It works as a feminist spaces collective and living lab where engaged spaces, zine projects, podcasts, and community research explore feminist ethics, feminist capitalism, future feminism, and utopian feminist visions for ideal societies that center care over profit. From amplifying scholars like Leslie Kern, Caroline Criado Perez, Susanne Riegraf, and others, Feminist Park builds vital spaces that challenge patriarchy, reclaim public space, and prototype a feminist city where safety scenarios.

Description: This paper investigates the nuanced relationship between urban green space interaction and the wellbeing of international students in Berlin during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Employing a qualitative methodology, it offers a deep understanding of changes in daily routines and how green spaces became vital during an unprecedented time.Relates to The Feminist Park Project: Underscores the importance of green spaces for mental wellbeing, particularly for transient or vulnerable populations. It encourages the Feminist Park to consider the specific needs and uses of green spaces for diverse groups, including newcomers and those facing isolation.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: "Urban green space interaction and wellbeing – investigating the experience of international students in Berlin during the first COVID-19 lockdown"Author: Charlotte Collins, Dagmar HaaseIntro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

This episode investigates environmental justice in Berlin through the lens of refugee children's access to urban green spaces. By assessing perceived neighborhood distance, we highlight the unique challenges in providing safe, usable, and accessible green spaces for this specific and often vulnerable socioeconomic group.Relates to The Feminist Park Project: Deepens the project's commitment to environmental justice and intersectionality. It emphasizes that the Feminist Park must be planned with the needs of the most vulnerable in mind, ensuring equitable access and safety for all children, regardless of background.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: "Environmental Justice in the Context of Access to Urban Green Spaces for Refugee Children in Berlin"Author: S.C. (Sara Colletti) and M.K. (Michael Kleyer)Intro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

Join us as we journey to the Barcelona Metropolitan Region to explore a study that defines, measures, and maps ecosystem services (ES) in an urban context. This episode outlines the quantification and mapping methods for various ES indicators, including crucial elements like crop and livestock production within the urban fabric.Relates to The Feminist Park Project: Provides a framework for understanding and valuing the ecological services a Feminist Park can offer, highlighting its role not just as a social space but also as a vital ecological contributor to a sustainable urban environment.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: "Mapping ecosystem services in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region: From supply and demand to bundles"Author: F. Baró, D. Geneletti, P. J. O'Farrell, A. ValdecantosBook/Paper: Green justice or just green? Provision of urban green spaces in Berlin, GermanyAuthor: Nadja Kabischa, Dagmar HaaseaIntro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

This episode offers concrete insights into the principles and successful implementation of gender-sensitive park design. Through the lens of specific examples like Einsiedlerpark and St. Johann Park, we learn how practical design choices can create more equitable and welcoming public green spaces.Relates to The Feminist Park Project: Provides practical, real-world examples and inspiration for the Feminist Park's design and implementation, showcasing how gender-sensitive principles can be successfully applied to create truly inclusive urban parks.Source for Podcast Episode:Site: "Gender-sensitive park design at Einsiedlerpark and St. Johann Park" https://use.metropolis.org/case-studies/gender-sensitive-park-design (28-10-2025)Author: City Government, otherAuthor:Intro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

This episode focuses on the critical importance of accessible, inclusive, and well-designed public spaces for overall safety and functionality, with a sharp focus on gender equality in planning and management. We discuss a proposed dashboard with indicators and a satisfaction survey – vital tools to promote and measure true gender equality in urban environments.Relates to The Feminist Park Project: Provides practical tools and metrics for the Feminist Park to assess its impact on gender equality, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement in creating truly inclusive and functional public spaces.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: "Gender equality in urban planning and management: A dashboard with indicators and a satisfaction survey"Author: Ariane Pereira, Emília Malcata RebeloBook/Paper: SAFER PARKS Improving access for women and girlsThis document has been prepared by Keep Britain Tidy, Make Space for Girls, the University of Leeds and West and Yorkshire Combined Authority. WHAT MAKES A PARK FEEL SAFE OR UNSAFE? The views of women, girls and professionals in West YorkshireAuthors: A research project led by Dr Anna Barker and Professor George Holmes (University of Leeds) with Dr Rizwana Alam, Lauren Cape-Davenhill, Dr Sally Osei-Appiah and Dr Sibylla Warrington Brown, in collaboration with West Yorkshire Combined Authority.Intro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

This episode delves into nuanced gendered experiences within urban spaces, exploring concepts such as the control of disorder and women's interactions in the metropolis. Drawing on various scholarly works, we illustrate how urban life is intricately shaped by gender, fear, and complex social dynamics.Relates to The Feminist Park Project: Provides a deeper understanding of the gendered nuances of urban life that the Feminist Park aims to address, informing design choices that actively mitigate feelings of disorder and enhance positive interactions for women and gender-diverse people.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: "WOMEN, GIRLS AND GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE SAFETY IN PUBLIC SPACE. DESIGNING A CITY FOR ALL LONDONERS"Author: Dr Mimi ShellerIntro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

An often-overlooked necessity, public toilets reveal much about a city's inclusivity. This episode traces their complex historical development and outlines key concerns identified in scientific literature. We highlight the profound social, economic, and functional importance of these public spaces, often a barometer of urban equity.Episode 14 of The Feminist Park Podcast is here. We're flushing out the hidden history of public toilets and exposing how they are a barometer of urban equity. Drawing on the work of C. Greed, Shawna Lewkowitz, Jason Gilliland, and Judith Plaskow, we reveal the profound social and economic costs when cities fail to provide this basic amenity.A truly feminist city must consider every detail. This episode proves that the path to liberation includes a safe, clean, and accessible public bathroom.Emphasizes that true feminist urban planning extends to every detail, including essential amenities. The Feminist Park must ensure thoughtfully designed, safe, and accessible public toilets that cater to all users, reflecting a holistic approach to public space.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: No Place to Go: The History and the Future of Public ToiletsAuthor: Clara GreedBook/Paper: A Feminist Critical Analysis of Public Toilets and Gender: A Systematic ReviewAuthors: Shawna Lewkowitz & Jason Gilliland Book/Paper: Taking a Break: Toilets, Gender, and Disgust Author: Judith Plaskow Intro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay#PublicHealth #UrbanDesign #Feminism #SocialJustice #UrbanPlanning #DEI #Inclusivity #PublicToilets #FeministCityStatement:We want to be absolutely clear: The Feminist Park Project and Podcast stand in full solidarity with the trans community.Public toilets are not just a matter of infrastructure—they are about dignity, safety, and belonging. Too often, debates about access erase or endanger trans and gender-diverse people. We reject any framing of public space that treats their needs as secondary or “special interests.” There is no neutral built environment; the so-called “standard” has historically centered cisgender men, leaving women, trans, and non-binary people excluded.We believe that every person deserves safe, accessible, and affirming public facilities. That means designing toilets and green spaces with inclusivity at the core, not as an afterthought. Trans rights are human rights, and trans-inclusive toilets are non-negotiable for a just and equitable city.This project exists to challenge exclusion in urban design, and we reaffirm our commitment: our vision of feminist space is always trans-inclusive.

This episode takes a spin on urban mobility, detailing a qualitative study designed to understand factors contributing to potential bike riders' behaviors and, specifically, how to increase women's participation in cycling. We delve into behavior change analysis to identify key levers for a more equitable two-wheeled city.Relates to The Feminist Park Project: Encourages consideration of active transport links to the Feminist Park, understanding behavioral barriers for women in cycling and how supportive infrastructure can make the park more accessible and integrated into daily feminist commutes.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: What a girl wants: A mixed-methods study of gender differences in the barriers to and enablers of riding a bike in Australia Authors: Lauren Pearson a,*, Sandy Reeder a, Belinda Gabbe a,b, Ben Beck a School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia b Health Data Research UK, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, United KingdomIntro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

This episode dives into cutting-edge research on how urban design influences feelings of safety, particularly for women and gender-diverse individuals. We unpack a systematic review of literature, exploring gender differences in safety perception, the generalisability of findings, and key policy implications for creating truly secure public spaces.Directly informs the practical design principles of the Feminist Park, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to enhance safety, reduce fear, and promote inclusivity for all users.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: "Public space and gendered safety perceptions: A systematic review of design interventions and their impacts"Author: Pablo Navarrete-Hernandez, Arielle Vetro, Paz ConchaIntro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

Join us as we explore the captivating intersection of feminism and utopianism, drawing on rich historical and theoretical perspectives on American feminist thought. This episode delves into the concept of ideal societies as envisioned through a feminist lens, challenging existing norms and imagining radical futures.The Feminist Park Project: Connects the practical design of the Feminist Park to a broader tradition of feminist utopian thought, positioning the park as a tangible step towards realizing more equitable and just societal ideals within an urban context.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: "Excerpt on Feminism and Utopianism"Author: Johns, Alessa . In The Cambridge Companion to Utopian Literature , edited by Claeys, Gregory, 174-199.Intro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

This episode provides an introduction to significant research fields within feminist critique of capitalism. We explore profound topics such as capitalism as a system of domination and the subordination of life, alongside crucial discussions on care work, social work, and the intersection of ecofeminism with economic structures.The Feminist Park Project: Offers a broader theoretical lens, positioning the Feminist Park as not just a physical space but a response to systemic inequalities rooted in capitalist structures, promoting alternative models of care, community, and ecological harmony.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: "Feministische Kapitalismuskritik: Eine Einführung"Author: Brigitte Aulenbacher, Birgit Riegraf, Susanne VölkerIntro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

Based on a groundbreaking book, this episode explores how women navigate and claim space in cities often designed with male experiences predominantly in mind. We delve into profound themes of freedom, fear, and the intricate politics of gender embedded within our urban environments. Leslie Kern provides foundational insights from a leading voice in feminist urbanism, directly inspiring the Feminist Park's mission to challenge existing urban norms and create spaces where women and marginalized genders can truly claim their freedom and presence.The City as a Constant ConversationThe city isn't a finished product; it's a dynamic, contested space in a constant state of becoming. It's a living dialogue where every street, bench, and building is a part of a larger conversation about who belongs and who doesn't. This constant remaking is a demand for something better, a call for us to actively shape our communities.Reading Your City with a Feminist LensHow can you participate in this conversation? Start by looking at your surroundings through a feminist lens. Ask yourself:Who is this street designed for?Whose body fits comfortably on this park bench or can easily navigate this transit stop?Whose needs are met, and whose are ignored and made invisible?The Power of Quiet ResistanceAnd as you look for what is missing, also look for the acts of quiet resistance and care already happening around you. The neighbors sharing childcare, the vibrant community gardens, the people looking out for one another. These actions may seem small, but they are powerful. They challenge the dominant narrative and build something different—a more just and caring world, one relationship at a time.Source for Podcast Episode:Book/Paper: Feminist City: Claiming Space in a Man-Made WorldAuthor: Leslie KernIntro/Outro Music: big-band-tv-show-logo-164230 Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay