Burnley has the lowest female wellbeing in the UK. Through community engagement and the use of gender mainstreaming principles in both policy and design, this project aims to combat this, by facilitating safe female access to green spaces across the town. A strategic plan for a network of safe green spaces that are accessible and attractive to women, connected through a series of walkable and living streets, has been developed. Applied to Oswald Street, a proposed mixed-use development integrated with existing community infrastructure; the vision is for a safe and attractive destination for all women to live, work, play and be healthy. For a safe atmosphere, a strong sense of community and ownership by residents is required; reinforced by natural surveillance. Massing of residences with leisure opportunities, community green spaces and facilities – maximising visibility – facilitates this.
