Paper Title
PERCEPTION OF WOMEN ABOUT SAFETY AROUND URBAN VOIDS AND RETHINKING POTENTIAL PLANNING SOLUTIONS

Abstract
Abstract - This paper focuses on the existing concerns and challenges perceived by women regarding safety in urban voids. Women often experience higher levels of fear and vulnerability in these spaces due to factors such as poor lighting, limited surveillance, inadequate accessibility, and a lack of social cohesion. These concerns can restrict women's mobility, limit their participation in public life, and perpetuate gender inequalities which causes some major psychological issues in women as well. Even the growth of Indian cities has led to the development of various factors in terms of urban and rural scape. As it can be analyzed, the growth of India in the past times was recognized by the development of villages and rural India, but looking at the present scenario the scale is dependable on the urbanization factor of the country. Just to provide the needful to the public, the planners are bound to design several urban spaces, which are eventually turning out to be “Urban Voids”. Though the concept of voids is much clear scientifically as well as literally, the urban perspective of the same is quite different. This is dealing differently in terms of our societal constraints and through the lens of women and their need for better spaces. Addressing these issues and rethinking planning solutions is crucial to create safer and more inclusive urban environments. By understanding women’s specific needs and perceptions regarding safety in urban voids, appropriate interventions can be designed to enhance their sense of security. This project aims to bridge the gap between women's experiences and urban planning practices, introducing more gender-sensitive approaches that promote safety, accessibility, and inclusivity for all individuals in urban voids. Keywords - Urban voids, Inclusivity, Gender sensitive planning, Women’s perception, Women's safety