The central theme of the conference revolved around how cities reflect and reinforce existing gender hierarchies. Acknowledging that patriarchy is deeply ingrained in city planning and heritage production, participants explored key questions: Who are cities designed for? and Which social groups are excluded or disadvantaged by urban environments?
Day One: Mobility, Care, and Inclusive Planning
The conference opened with insightful presentations by Maria Lindmäe and Živilė Mantrimaitė, who examined mobility patterns related to caregiving in Lithuania and Estonia. Their research highlighted how caregivers—particularly mothers—navigate cities differently, avoiding high-traffic streets and prioritizing routes that accommodate the needs of children.
This was followed by interactive workshops led by Kitti Baracsi and Mary Marinopoulou, who introduced unconventional methods to engage communities in urban planning. Using sensory exercises and participatory games, attendees examined how urban environments represent and tell stories of the diverse inhabitants and explored ways to investigate the accessibility of spaces. A key takeaway from these discussions was the exclusion of major social groups, such as children, from traditional city planning processes.
Further enriching the discourse, Saara Milderberg, Elena Bogdanova, and Vesna Jusup facilitated sessions on heritage conservation and urban sustainability. These discussions covered a range of topics, from the social housing renovation process to the organization of public toilet systems and the role of DIY solutions in sustainable and inclusive city-making.
Day Two: Exploring Motherhood, Representation, and Technology in Urban Spaces
The second day began with a guided walk through the Naujamiestis district, led by Ieva Baltrėnaitė. The walk focused on motherhood in the city, examining the availability—or lack—of care infrastructure and public spaces designed to support caregiving.
Another key theme throughout the event was the role of visual narratives in shaping urban identity. Thanks to contributions from Zita Karkla and Regina Petrushenko, discussions emerged on how women are represented in monumental heritage and city aesthetics. A crucial question was raised: Should feminist urbanism focus solely on increasing women’s representation in public monuments, or should it push for a broader reimagining of gender relations and breaking the gender dichotomy in urban spaces? While no definitive answers were reached, the conversation, enriched by Laima Nomeikaitė, Yuvia Maini and Athina Simatou, explored alternative performative narratives that could drive a more inclusive city design for all.
Adding a contemporary perspective, participants also examined the potential of interactive technologies in urban environments. Case studies demonstrated how digital tools can highlight underrepresented histories and bring crucial socio-political narratives to public consciousness.
A Crucial Gathering for Urban and Heritage Studies
City as a Feminist proved to be an essential platform for scholars, artists, and urban practitioners committed to fostering inclusive and participatory urban environments. The conference not only highlighted pressing research gaps but also reinforced the importance of integrating gender perspectives into urban planning and heritage conservation.
This event was made possible by the dedication of the European Humanities University community, particularly Živilė Mantrimaitė, a graduate of the Gender Studies MA program, and Alina Kalachova, a student in the European Heritage BA program.
Looking ahead, the educational program “Place of Heritage in Interdisciplinarity” will hold its final event, Storytelling for Sustainable Heritage Practices and Active Citizenship, in Jyväskylä, Finland, from July 21–28, 2025. The application form is already open, with scholarships available. The deadline for applications is April 10, 2025.
