Gendered Spaces and Human Interaction with the Built Environment: The Case of Rural Haryana, India

Namita Singh¹, Suruchi Modi¹ and Mohammad Arif Kamal^2,

¹Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Sushant University, Gurugram, India

²Architecture Section, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

Cite this paper:
Namita Singh, Suruchi Modi and Mohammad Arif Kamal. Gendered Spaces and Human Interaction with the Built Environment: The Case of Rural Haryana, India. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture. 2026; 14(3):62-68. doi: 10.12691/ajcea-14-3-1

Abstract

Human relationships are shaped in great part by the physical environment, especially in gendered societies where spatial structure reflects and upholds social conventions. Architectural and urban planning in rural Haryana still heavily rely on patriarchal structures, which results in gendered spatial separation impacting women's access to public areas, social involvement, and mobility. The fundamental spatial hierarchies remain intact despite modernizing and infrastructure improvements, therefore restricting women's autonomy and involvement in community life. Focusing on how architectural design, spatial organization, and socio-cultural traditions affect human interactions, this study looks at the interplay between gender and the built environment in Rural Haryana. The study uses participatory mapping, ethnographic fieldwork, and qualitative interviews to investigate how created environments either limit or allow gendered experiences. The results show that although home designs have changed to incorporate enclosed courtyards, separate kitchens, and private sanitation facilities, these additions have not appreciably changed women's spatial mobility. Structural obstacles still exist for women that limit their visibility in public places including marketplaces, town centers, and communal gathering places. The paper also emphasizes the loss of female-centric communal spaces- such as village wells, temple courtyards, and unofficial gathering places that historically gave women chances for social contact and community involvement. Their absence has added further social isolation for women, therefore supporting patriarchal control over space. Furthermore, results show that urbanization has affected rural architecture but not always resulted in more gender inclusiveness in spatial design. This paper emphasizes how urgently gender-sensitive architecture and urban planning projects are needed to solve women's spatial marginalization in rural Haryana. Among the recommendations are rejuvenating public spaces, including gender-sensitive design into public areas, and making sure that contemporary infrastructure investments support inclusivity instead of aggravating already existing inequality. To conceptualize the space from a gender-equal viewpoint will help legislators and urban designers to create settings that encourage more mobility, involvement, and agency for women in rural communities.

Keywords:
built environment women's mobility spatial segregation architectural modernism urban planning social inclusion rural Haryana India

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