Understanding gendered geographies of street homelessness using participatory mapping

Abstract

Participatory mapping is a promising, yet underexplored method that can contribute to a better understanding of street homeless people’s experience of “place” in the urban realm. This research employed a group-based participatory mapping process as a research method for understanding gender differences in geographies of street homelessness focusing on the experiences of street homeless women. Findings underscore the value of participatory mapping as a tool for highlighting gendered experiences of “place” in the urban environment for street homeless women, including experiences of risk and the underlying meanings and uses of specific locations in the city.