Urban planning standards and the design of public spaces play a major role in the prevention of sexual harassment and violence against women outside their homes and workplaces. Through better updated urban design and planning we can create environments that offer lesser opportunities for violence against women. In short, women friendly and safe environment is what we require.

Areas are unsafe because of the bad designing, isolation, and poor maintenance, lack of street lights lead to the creation of dark alleys, dead ends, and entrapment areas. Plan implementation i.e. implementation of the zoning regulations as well as the actual construction of roads, public areas, squares, plazas, parks and gardens, rests with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and its associated bodies. Gender sensitization awareness and safety checklists in urban planning and design and guidelines for safety audits can help to ensure safety of women.

Ensuring eyes on the street and mixed land use in all new developments, promoting informal sectors like hawking/street vending, making parks and public spaces more accessible, visible from the street, better landscaped and well lit streets. Regular data collection on women’s safety; making safety audits a regular planning tool and an integral part of the master planning process, with a commitment from local authorities to implement their recommendations. Modifications of curricula for urban planning and design programs to ensure women’s safety issues are part of the training imparted to urban planners and designers.

There are a few initiatives which can provide a starting point for making cities women friendly and safe. The United Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure centre (UTTIPEC) 2008 developed a series of guidelines for pedestrian safety, street design and urban renewal. INTACH Delhi Chapter and Jagori in 2010 conducted a safety audit for selected areas of the Walled city (Shahjahanabad) to integrate the Walled City with New Delhi.

Understanding Women's Safety towards a gender inclusive city- Research Findings, Delhi (2009-10)

Building Safe and Inclusive Cities for Women, A Practical Guide