Gender Dynamics in Urban Space Usage: A Case Study of Tebessa’s Historic City Centre, Algeria
This study examines the gender dynamics in urban space usage within the historic city center of Tebessa, Algeria, exploring how cultural factors and street networks influence gender-specific pedestrian behavior and land use patterns. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining space syntax techniqu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Urban Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/4/103 |
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| author | Soufiane Fezzai Lambros T. Doulos Abdelhakim Mesloub |
| author_facet | Soufiane Fezzai Lambros T. Doulos Abdelhakim Mesloub |
| author_sort | Soufiane Fezzai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the gender dynamics in urban space usage within the historic city center of Tebessa, Algeria, exploring how cultural factors and street networks influence gender-specific pedestrian behavior and land use patterns. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining space syntax techniques, GIS analysis, and behavioral data collection, we analyzed the relationships between street networks, land use attractors, and gender-differentiated pedestrian flows. Key findings reveal significant differences in spatial navigation patterns between men and women, influenced by cultural norms and gender-specific land use distribution. Women’s movement is more constrained and focused on specific attractors, while men navigate the entire urban system more freely. The study also highlights the impact of “edge effects”, where extramural attractors strongly influence intramural gender movement, particularly for women. These gender-specific patterns often override street network influences predicted by traditional space syntax theories. Our research contributes to the understanding of sustainable urban development in culturally rich contexts by demonstrating the need for gender-inclusive planning that considers local cultural practices. The findings have important implications for urban planners and policymakers working to create more equitable and functional historic city centers while preserving cultural heritage and addressing gender-specific needs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3ef37a7c9c1f47b9a16ebbd1f072aad6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2413-8851 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Urban Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-3ef37a7c9c1f47b9a16ebbd1f072aad62025-08-20T02:18:15ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512025-03-019410310.3390/urbansci9040103Gender Dynamics in Urban Space Usage: A Case Study of Tebessa’s Historic City Centre, AlgeriaSoufiane Fezzai0Lambros T. Doulos1Abdelhakim Mesloub2LGCA Laboratory, Department of Architecture, University of Tebessa, Tebessa 12060, AlgeriaSchool of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design, Hellenic Open University, Parodos Aristotelous 18, 26335 Patras, GreeceDepartment of Architecture Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Ha’il, Ha’il City 81451, Saudi ArabiaThis study examines the gender dynamics in urban space usage within the historic city center of Tebessa, Algeria, exploring how cultural factors and street networks influence gender-specific pedestrian behavior and land use patterns. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining space syntax techniques, GIS analysis, and behavioral data collection, we analyzed the relationships between street networks, land use attractors, and gender-differentiated pedestrian flows. Key findings reveal significant differences in spatial navigation patterns between men and women, influenced by cultural norms and gender-specific land use distribution. Women’s movement is more constrained and focused on specific attractors, while men navigate the entire urban system more freely. The study also highlights the impact of “edge effects”, where extramural attractors strongly influence intramural gender movement, particularly for women. These gender-specific patterns often override street network influences predicted by traditional space syntax theories. Our research contributes to the understanding of sustainable urban development in culturally rich contexts by demonstrating the need for gender-inclusive planning that considers local cultural practices. The findings have important implications for urban planners and policymakers working to create more equitable and functional historic city centers while preserving cultural heritage and addressing gender-specific needs.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/4/103gender dynamicspedestrian flowstreet networkland usehistoric city centercultural factors |
| spellingShingle | Soufiane Fezzai Lambros T. Doulos Abdelhakim Mesloub Gender Dynamics in Urban Space Usage: A Case Study of Tebessa’s Historic City Centre, Algeria Urban Science gender dynamics pedestrian flow street network land use historic city center cultural factors |
| title | Gender Dynamics in Urban Space Usage: A Case Study of Tebessa’s Historic City Centre, Algeria |
| title_full | Gender Dynamics in Urban Space Usage: A Case Study of Tebessa’s Historic City Centre, Algeria |
| title_fullStr | Gender Dynamics in Urban Space Usage: A Case Study of Tebessa’s Historic City Centre, Algeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender Dynamics in Urban Space Usage: A Case Study of Tebessa’s Historic City Centre, Algeria |
| title_short | Gender Dynamics in Urban Space Usage: A Case Study of Tebessa’s Historic City Centre, Algeria |
| title_sort | gender dynamics in urban space usage a case study of tebessa s historic city centre algeria |
| topic | gender dynamics pedestrian flow street network land use historic city center cultural factors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/4/103 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT soufianefezzai genderdynamicsinurbanspaceusageacasestudyoftebessashistoriccitycentrealgeria AT lambrostdoulos genderdynamicsinurbanspaceusageacasestudyoftebessashistoriccitycentrealgeria AT abdelhakimmesloub genderdynamicsinurbanspaceusageacasestudyoftebessashistoriccitycentrealgeria |