On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 1:30pm EST, urban designers, Aditi Subramanian and Cassandra Rice will introduce their research-backed study that challenges ideologies of design in public spaces and reimagines how spaces can create sense of belonging among girls and young women. Registration is required. 

Landscape architects are increasingly interested in creating inclusive places. However, girls and young women are often excluded from our design considerations. This lecture aims to broaden the lens through which we approach the public realm by focusing on an often forgotten or overlooked demographic: youth, specifically adolescents and teenage girls. Just as we’re starting to reckon with the fact that public spaces are not gender-neutral for adults, we must also realize this is the case for adolescents. Through a research project, Aditi and Cassandra explore how public spaces can better support the unique and nuanced experiences of adolescent and teenage girls and contribute to their well-being and sense of belonging.  

In this webinar, Aditi and Cassandra will share highlights from their fall 2023 study which explores research questions such as: 

1. How can the design of public urban spaces empower and support girls and young women?  
2. How do we design urban spaces in ways that contribute to the overall well-being and sense of belonging of girls?  
3. How can designers combat gender stereotypes while also prioritizing the unique and nuanced experience of girls while designing?  
4. How can the design process better engage youth, specifically girls, so they have a more direct impact on their communities? 

About the Authors 

Aditi Subramanian, LEED AP ND

Aditi Subramanian is an urban designer, community planner, and writer whose primary interest is understanding people and translating their inputs into design excellence. She has always been curious about deciphering cities, and as an international oarswoman, she understands the environment and water very deeply. Her work is strongly shaped by her upbringing in South India, and includes award-winning sustainable transportation design, landscape architecture, resiliency planning, and policy writing.  

Aditi's passion for co-creating equitable cities is seen in the consideration with which she approaches public engagement and her advocacy to incorporate environmental justice into our everyday work. During COVID-19, she worked with national leaders in India to make streets safer for walking, cycling, and public transport and coordinated initiatives across 70+ cities. Her hidden secret is her journalistic exposure, chasing down stories, uncovering urban complexities, and giving words to people's lives. She brings her storytelling magic into every aspect of her work, crafting narratives and visuals that directly speak to people. At Perkins&Will, she works at all scales, from the neighborhood to the region, weaving data and research into meaningful insights. 

When she's not at work, you can find Aditi at the nearest lake or beach, swimming, rowing, or kayaking. Since Atlanta lacks water bodies, she's usually sketching at cafes or discovering new places to eat. 

Cassandra Rice 

As a Senior Urban Designer at Perkins&Will (Chicago), Cassandra's work lies at the intersection of people, policy, and place. With a background in urban planning and landscape architecture, she operates seamlessly across scales, geographies, and diverse clients. From creating regional plans in the Middle East to designing pocket parks and public spaces in Chicago, she enjoys working on diverse landscapes close to home and across the globe. 

Her dedication to more equitable, resilient, and vibrant urban spaces is evident in her work, where she blends data-driven insights and community input to create lasting positive change. She leverages spatial analytics to decipher the interplay between the multifaceted influences that shape our built environment, and her "design with, not for" approach emphasizes community collaboration and co-creation. 

Cassandra grew up amidst the scenic beauty of southwest Indiana before earning her BLA from Ball State in 2012. In 2022, she was named one of ECAP’s Graduates of the Last Decade. Beyond her impactful work, Cassandra serves on the executive board for Lambda Alpha International Chicago Region and previously held roles on the board of the Illinois ASLA. She is committed to her local community and contributes her expertise to the Friends of the Chicago River, Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance, and the Metropolitan Planning Council.  

In her free time, you can find her exploring Chicago neighborhoods with her dog, Harlow, indulging in the city’s ever-expanding food scene, vibing to live music, or planning her next adventure. 

Please direct questions about this and other Career Discovery and Diversity programs to Lisa J. Jennings, Senior Manager, at ljennings@asla.org.