Quand les politiques publiques s’attaquent à l’occupation genrée des espaces urbains

Abstract

This article focuses on the exploratory walks (“marches exploratoires”), a single-sex participatory initiative aimed at improving the presence of women in urban spaces. Based on interviews and observations, in 16 French towns, it questions the politicisation of gender inequalities made possible by this initiative. First, it analyses the uneven politicisation of the single-sex instrument and the different ways in which it has been appropriated by public agents. The article then highlights the fact that the gendered occupation of public spaces and harassment are treated primarily as urban infrastructure issues, to the detriment of more structural causes of gender inequality. Finally, it shows that the politicisation of gender inequalities in public spaces is linked to a differentialist approach to gender, and that the initiative thus participates in a certain reproduction of the gender order.

Keywords

• gender
• public space
• exploratory walks
• public policy
• urban policies