Women’s Accessibility to Community Public Spaces in Urban Residential Areas: Case Study

Abstract

Health-fitness-related community public spaces (for example, parks, playgrounds, and 
fitness centres) are important for women’s active and healthy life. The objective of this 
research is to investigate the present conditions of accessibility to and perceptions of 
women in urban health-fitness-related community public spaces (specifically parks and 
fitness centres) in cities in Bangladesh. This research is predominantly quantitative and 
case study based, collected empirical data through site visits and questionnaire surveys. 
The case study areas are Uttara Sector 13 and Kazipara, which are respectively planned and 
spontaneously developed residential areas. Descriptive analysis and regression analysis 
were conducted. Moreover, maps are produced using ArcGIS. This research found that 
there are adequate women-friendly parks and fitness centres in planned urban residential 
areas compared to unplanned residential areas. This research shows, there are deliberate 
parks and fitness centres within walkable distance (400 metres) in Uttara Sector 13, where,
respectively about 60 percent and 40 percent of the respondents visit frequently. 
Furthermore, the frequent users of parks and fitness centres are satisfied (rated good) with 
the conditions of these services. Nevertheless, women are deprived of park facilities in 
Kazipara, whereas fitness centres are located far away from home. Consequently, only 35
percent of respondents can visit a fitness centre by using a rickshaw to arrive there. This 
research claims that women’s accessibility increases along with improvements in safety, 
security, environment, and proximity. This also found that frequency of visits and 
transport mode have a strong positive correlation with women’s accessibility in parks and 
fitness centres, whereas distance and travel cost have a negative correlation. This research 
finding may help urban planners and development authorities in the community 
planning and service development sectors.