ABSTRACT

This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part outlines the social costs to women of living in cities primarily designed by and for men. It shows how the typical land-use patterns of the North American city, with separation of home, work, and services, support the traditional nuclear family and accommodate only minimally to women’s changing roles. The part discusses the costs to women of living in suburban environments. It presents case study of women’s travel patterns in one community supports the findings of research on women’s travel needs in other major North American cities: husbands have most access to the family car; women rely more on public transportation. The part describes the extent of women’s victimization due to current land-use practices and attempt to outline some alternatives. It explains the on-going psychological costs to women of isolation in a domestic world.