GENDERSITE EVENT October 2nd 2008

Keynote speaker Ruth Reed first woman to be elected RIBA President

Womens Design Service and Queen Mary University of London have developed a new website www.gendersite.org which is now online, and will be officially launched on October 2nd at The Octagon, QMUL, from 1pm onwards. The keynote address at 6pm will be delivered by Ruth Reed, the first female president-elect of the RIBA.

Gendersite comprises a searchable database of publications, research findings and articles which address gender issues in the built environment, alongside a series of case studies highlighting particular themes.

The project was funded by UrbanBuzz, a knowledge exchange programme. Gendersite aims to transfer the research findings of academics and others to built environment practitioners so that the design and management of our towns, cities, buildings and open spaces will better incorporate the specific needs of women. The Gender Equality Duty which became law in April 2007 requires all public bodies to promote gender equality. Gendersite will help policy makers, developers, regeneration professionals, planners, architects, engineers and transport agencies to achieve this goal. Gendersite is also an excellent resource for academics, students, womens organisations and community groups active in environmental issues.

The goal is to raise awareness of the need to address womens requirements in the design of the built environment. Practitioners and policy-makers will now be able to use Gendersite to ensure their work is incorporating best practice in relation to gender equality.

"This project was supported by the UCL-led UrbanBuzz Programme, within which UEL is a prime partner".

For further information contact:

Womens Design Service

email gendersite@wds.org.uk
telephone 020 7490 5210