Implementation of the method for Gender Impact Assessment (GIA) in Swedish infrastructure planning

Purpose and goal

The aim of the project was to develop and test the model for Gender Impact Assessment (GIA) as proposed in the report Kön i trafiken [Gender in Traffic]. Especially the focus was on the gender equality objectives of economic equality and the equal distribution of unpaid care and household work since these objectives previously proved to be difficult to adjust to transport planning. The project also aimed to identify knowledge needs (of gender equality) and to develop a university-based training course for professionals in the transportation planning process.

Expected results and effects

A handbook in GIA, a draft curriculum for a university-based training course as well as six scientific publications have been produced within the project. The idea is that the results will constitute the basis for further development of methods and knowledge for gender mainstreaming in transport planning in the country´s regions. The planners that took part in the project described the greatest obstacles with gender mainstreaming was the lack of clear guidelines, in the directives of the regional transport plans; which needs to be taken care of in policywork at the national level.

Planned approach and implementation

The case in the project included two regions and their efforts to develop regional transport plans (Region Dalarna and Västra Götaland). The project was divided into five work packages. First the last two regional transport plans were analysed, then gender equality in the regional transportation planning was discussed in workshops. These analyses and discussions formed the basis for further workshops. Procedures were tested with the aim to further develop a working model for GIA. The work followed a program theoretical approach.