Amelia Powell, a member of Savills' central planning team, was recently selected by UN Women UK to participate in the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). The global event, held between 9 and 19 March in New York, convened government officials, activists, and advocacy groups to address critical issues impacting women and girls, encompassing areas such as safety, education, health, justice, and economic participation. Ms Powell contributed to the discussions virtually, engaging in a series of roundtables centred on the International Women’s Day 2026 theme, 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.'
Ms Powell's selection reflects her long-standing commitment to gender inclusivity within the built environment. Her academic background includes a master's dissertation specifically focused on the concept of gender-inclusive cities. Beyond her academic pursuits, she has actively volunteered with 'Make Space for Girls,' an organisation advocating for more accessible and safer public spaces for young women and girls. She has also established a community think tank dedicated to research and consultancy in inclusive design practices.
Speaking on her experience, Ms Powell highlighted the United Nations' recognition of gender equality as fundamental to climate resilience and sustainability. She stated, "We cannot achieve sustainable development without designing better places for women and girls." She observed that her time at CSW70 underscored the significant potential for the UK's built environment sector to lead in gender-responsive design, even in the absence of explicit national policy mandates. While acknowledging progress made in the UK, Ms Powell believes there is substantial scope for the sector to further embed these principles.
She emphasised that incorporating gender-inclusive initiatives from the initial stages of the design process is crucial, regardless of specific policy requirements. Ms Powell advocates for planning with a 'gendered lens' to foster more equitable cities for women and other marginalised groups. She noted that many countries are already successfully integrating gender equality into their planning frameworks through practical and impactful strategies.
Reflecting on the Commission, Ms Powell shared, "Listening to the stories of the speakers and contributors of CSW70 inspired me to continue to be an advocate for creating equal spaces for women." She believes both men and women should strive for equality in our spaces, and professionals in the built environment industry play a vital role in achieving this. Her attendance at the Commission has deepened her commitment to ensuring that planning processes genuinely reflect the diverse needs of the communities they serve, reinforcing the idea that meaningful change often begins with attentive listening and that the built environment can serve as a powerful instrument for promoting fairness, safety, and opportunity.