Gendered Mobility in Public Urban Spaces: A Case Study of Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Although the benefits of a gender-inclusive approach to mobility have been increasingly recognised globally, this topic has not received sufficient attention, particularly in secondary cities located in predominantly rural areas. It is of great significance that both urban planning theory and practice integrate gender issues in the planning and designing of cities, given their gendered needs and aspirations. This study investigates the gendered dimensions of mobility in public urban spaces, focusing on Polokwane city in Limpopo, South Africa. Guided by feminist urbanism and Law’s analytical framework on gender and mobility, the study adopts a mixed-methods approach combining 167 household questionnaire survey, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observation. The research examines how urban design elements shape gendered mobility experiences and further evaluates the extent to which municipal, provincial, and national policy frameworks incorporate gender-sensitive planning principles. Findings confirm that urban design in Polokwane shapes gendered mobility experiences. Women experience higher levels of mobility constraints linked to availability, accessibility, acceptability, and affordability challenges as revealed by the Gendered Mobility Index (GMI). The GMI scores indicate that men recorded higher scores measured at 0.69, while women recorded lower composite scores at 0.68, confirming statistically significant gender disparities in overall mobility experience. Policy analysis reveals that although gender equality is articulated in national frameworks such as the NDP and National Land Transport Act, implementation at the municipal level remains poor. This study makes both theoretical and practical contributions. It advances the application of feminist urbanism within the South African secondary city context and considers GMI as a measurable planning tool for diagnosing gender inequality. The implications are clear: adopting a gender-transformative planning framework, and policies such as IDP, MSDF, MITP and others will directly enhance equitable access to the city, improve safety outcomes, and accelerate progress toward gender inclusive urban development.