The substantive and descriptive representation of women in planning: analysis from practice and academia

Abstract

Planning guides decision making about the built environment that impact people’s lived experiences and as such should include the voices of all those in society. Building on discussions that have been taking place in both practice and academia, this article focuses on the inclusion of women in planning. We draw on four research projects to explore the extent to which women are included within the planning profession and their needs met though the planning system, utilising the conceptual framework of the substantive representation of women as a way of exploring this. The article identifies issues with both the descriptive and substantive representation of women in planning. We conclude with the identification of further research needed.