STEP UP Walkability for Women in Milan

Book excerpt: Safe and accessible walking environments are crucial for sustainable urban mobility. However, traditional walkability assessments often overlook how user characteristics, particularly gender, influence perceptions of safety. The STEP UP project, awarded by Fondazione Cariplo (Grant No. 2022-1643), addressed this gap by investigating how women in Milan experience nighttime walkability. Women often navigate cities differently than men due to concerns about safety. Fear of violence or harassment can lead to precautionary behaviors like avoiding certain areas or using alternative modes of transport at night. These safety concerns significantly impact women's mobility and limit their access to essential services and social interactions. The STEP UP project employed a multimodal approach to understand the factors influencing women's perceptions of safety while walking in Milan at night.