WHC celebrated International Women’s Day 2026 in Colchester with the East of England RTPI

The Women's Day Conference, entitled Championing the Power of Planning, was held at The Minories in Colchester (by the way, men were also invited). Whilst the day focused on the role of women in planning, it was clear that without input from all segments of society the quality of our spaces will and do suffer.

We all experience planning and spaces in our own way. There are nuances to how men and women see and experience these things which need to be better understood. How we feel about a space, connect with it, are curious about it, all impact how we, as planners, manage and design spaces. Are women more intuitive and perhaps sentimental about the spaces around them? Are men more pragmatic and formal? One of the messages of the day was to not just THINK about planning spaces for all, but to FEEL them as well.

For example, what history took place in this particular location, who was involved, what are the stories of an area? Understanding these things can enable one to better connect with the spaces around them. It can bring soul and character to a development. It can make a positive contribution to life’s balance and our wellbeing. These elements can be woven into the project via the naming of streets to reflect the site’s legacy, or the public art contribution, or even the landscaping and play provision.

Another key concept discussed was to Look Beyond the Red Line when planning developments. Do we let ourselves get defined and confined by the site boundary of the project? Where and what is the significance of the site and its wider context?

Other speakers during the day focused on the way women move through their day and night differently from how men do and what the considerations should be to factor this into our planning of sites. It is not just about lighting levels, CCTV provision, but about how and where people congregate, quantity and quality of the provisions, and simply to include the considerations of how different groups may use the same space and what their needs may be.

Courtesy of Karen Whybro

After lunch, we split into two groups and went on a walk around the city stopping at notable buildings where significant women have made an impact. These included the building we met in, The Minories, where we learnt about Dr Ruth- the first woman physician in Colchester. She used the front rooms as her consulting rooms and also opened Colchester's first infant nursery. These were incredible achievements during the early 20^th century and demonstrated the need for women’s services.

We also discussed the Essex Witch Hunts which saw Colchester Castle’s dungeon being used as a jail holding over 200 women and men during the 16^th and 17^th centuries. This was not about the focus of women as victims, but about the ability to tell their stories, add names to the tales, which can be seen in the memorial in front of the castle.

Not all of the working tour centred on women. Some of the town’s contrasting architecture and development were seen. The Firstsite building is one rife for debate on whether or not it sits comfortably in its context. Is it a successful development? Is it in the right place? Some believe yes to all.

Whilst there were discussions about statistics demonstrating that there are fewer numbers of women in planning roles, fewer women in higher profile roles, the pay gap between the genders and other inequalities in the work place, it was the lively debate and discussions that took place that showed how much we support each other. There are women making key inroads into male dominated areas, there are women making a real difference in trying to shed light on how to plan into developments elements that will actually benefit not only all genders, but also people with disabilities, different ethnicities, and all communities. A wider understanding of how considering everyone and not just the standard middleclass white male enables better design and quality of life for all.

But it takes effort, time, passion and a desire to spread the message. It was an inspiring day and great thanks go to the women of the East of England RTPI and their speakers for the event.