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International Journal of
Population Studies Redesigning public spaces in South Africa

in its adaptability to South African’s urban realities, where to the discourse on spatial justice in post-apartheid South
planning systems often struggle to address the needs of Africa. However, its effective implementation will require
marginalized populations due to legacies of apartheid, committed collaboration between planners, policymakers,
institutional fragmentation, and uneven development civil society, and—most importantly—the communities
(Turok & Borel-Saladin, 2018). Importantly, this study themselves, especially women and girls whose voices have
underscores the urgent need for inclusive development as long been sidelined in urban planning processes. Through
a foundation for sustainable urban futures. Public spaces such a holistic and grounded approach, the vision of safe,
should enable all users—not just dominant or visible accessible, and empowering public spaces can be realized.
groups—to experience safety, belonging, and freedom of
movement. However, the findings indicate that women 5. Conclusion
and girls continue to face spatial barriers that exclude This study introduced the HopeScape model as a structured
them from full participation in urban life. This exclusion framework for creating inclusive public spaces that address
is not only physical but also symbolic, reinforcing power the specific needs of women and girls. Drawing from
imbalances through everyday design decisions (Kern, local case studies and comparative analysis, the research
2020; Madgin, 2020).
highlights ongoing challenges in the design and use of
The implications for South African cities are profound. public spaces, particularly related to safety, accessibility,
Inclusive design must move beyond generic notions of and the sense of belonging. Although some progress has
“universal access” to explicitly address the unique lived been made in integrating inclusive elements into urban
realities of women and girls. As Meth (2010) and Beebeejaun design, significant gaps remain, especially in addressing
(2017) argue, embedding gender responsiveness into gender-based barriers to public space access.
urban planning is essential for redressing systemic spatial
injustices. This includes improving safety infrastructure This study underscores the critical importance of
(e.g., lighting, surveillance, and visibility), enhancing grounding urban planning in the lived experiences of
wayfinding and signage, providing gender-sensitive diverse communities, advocating for approaches that are
amenities, and cultivating spaces for expression and both participatory and responsive to local conditions. The
identity that challenge dominant norms. Moreover, the HopeScape model emerges not merely as a conceptual
study advocates for greater integration of international lens but also as a practical, scalable model for reshaping
best practices with local insights. Although Vienna offers urban environments through inclusive, justice-oriented
valuable lessons in institutionalizing gender-sensitive design. By aligning global principles with the complex
planning, the direct transplantation of these models realities of South African cities, this framework advances
without adaptation may be ineffective. South African a transformative agenda for public space—one that
cities require context-specific interventions that respond challenges exclusion, reclaims dignity, and promotes
to their social, cultural, and economic complexities. meaningful access for all individuals. This research expands
Tunis’s community-driven strategies—despite resource the discourse on spatial justice, revealing how design
constraints—suggest that small-scale, participatory decisions directly shape social outcomes and influence the
approaches can yield transformative outcomes when local everyday experience of urban life.
knowledge and ownership are prioritized (Harvey, 2012; Looking ahead, future research should deepen this
Simone, 2011). inquiry by elevating the voices and perspectives of
The future of inclusive public space development must marginalized groups and rigorously assessing the enduring
embrace intersectionality and sustainability. This includes impacts of inclusive design. With sustained political will
recognizing how spatial exclusion operates differently for and cross-sector collaboration, public spaces can evolve into
women based on race, age, ability, and class (Crenshaw, powerful catalysts of equity, safety, and collective belonging.
1991), and how inclusive spaces contribute not only to equity
but also to urban resilience, cohesion, and environmental Acknowledgments
justice. Future research should explore the longitudinal None.
impact of implementing frameworks such as the HopeScape
model and expand the focus to include more diverse user Funding
experiences, particularly in informal and peri-urban
areas where formal planning is weak. This study affirms None.
that inclusive public spaces are foundational to equitable Conflict of interest
urban development. The HopeScape model, by offering a
replicable and adaptable model, contributes meaningfully The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 111 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5813