Research, including The Savills Netherlands 2024 Invisible Women in Real Estate, indicates that data on real estate and urban development frequently lacks a gender perspective, predominantly focusing on male users and experiences. This gap in gender data leads to environments that often overlook the needs and experiences of women. Without inclusive data, urban planning and real estate decisions risk perpetuating inequalities, compromising safety and inclusivity, and missing out on economic and social opportunities.

Historically, urban planning and property development have been both designed and led by men, resulting in decisions that often failed to consider women's needs and experiences. Important factors such as street lighting, public transport routes, and shared spaces have been arranged without addressing women's objective and subjective safety and everyday activities. This oversight can render urban environments less accessible and inviting for a significant portion of the population. When looking at real estate development it is important to consider a holistic approach which focuses on the people and local communities that will be impacted by the development. Ensuring that the designs of the development encourages the creation of inclusive communities and thriving spaces. It is important to understand the difference in needs between local areas to ensure that the development is addressing the bespoke needs of communities within different areas of countries.

We can easily tackle this challenge by gathering and analysing gender-specific data in planning urban areas. By understanding how women and men use urban spaces, developers and planners can design safer, more inclusive environments and serve everyone's needs. Inclusive design does more than promote social equity; it also enhances economic value by attracting a more diverse population to these spaces. Inclusive designs and initiatives can be enhanced by community engagement rather than developing a ‘them’ and ‘us’ culture between developers and local communities, we must ensure that our work it collaborative with stakeholders and is representative of the local demographic.

Furthermore, increasing gender diversity within the real estate industry is essential so that women, who are currently underrepresented in leadership roles across the sector, have a stronger voice to create cities that serve all citizens.

Amsterdam offers hope

While many parts of the world have been making progress towards more inclusive cities and businesses, there is concern others have moved in the opposite direction. Amsterdam, however provides a great example of positive change. The city is considering implementing gender mainstreaming - a strategy that systematically integrates gender perspectives into policymaking. Barcelona has been a pioneer in this area, applying this principle for over a decade. The result? Changes in urban planning that focus on creating safer public spaces and improving transportation routes for women.

These policies not only make cities safer and more inclusive, they also boost economic growth by creating vibrant urban spaces that welcome diverse groups of people. It is an inspiring example of how cities, and the real estate sector, can actively drive meaningful change towards a fairer future.

Time for action

The contrast between regions where DEI policies are being paused or even rolling back and the progress in cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam, underscores the potential positive impact of diversity policies. For the real estate sector, this means moving beyond traditional design principles and including gender-conscious, decision-making into policies and developments.

Savills’ Invisible Women in Real Estate report reveals the pressing need to bridge this gap. By highlighting these issues and using data to drive change, we can develop urban environments that serve the needs of everyone in our communities. On International Women's Day, let’s commit to making women visible in real estate through the spaces we create and the decisions that shape them.

Read the full report here.