Maneuvering everyday urban spaces: transgender perceptions and challenges - a case of Pune

Abstract

This study examines how transgender (TG) communities navigate urban spaces, focusing on how structural inequalities, accessibility to resources, and urban spatial organization shape their quality of life and everyday experiences. It aims to explore the social, economic, physical, and institutional challenges embedded in these spaces and identify strategies to create more inclusive environments. The study focuses on mapping the everyday movements of TG communities across private, work, and social spaces; understanding their quality of life across multiple dimensions; and identifying key areas for policy interventions.To deepen this understanding, the study also examines how urban spaces are conceived, perceived, and lived by TG communities through the framework of Kevin Lynch’s elements : paths (routes of movement), edges (boundaries and barriers), districts (economic and social spheres), nodes (interaction points), and landmarks (spatial anchors). This spatial reading helps to map the tangible and intangible ways in which TG communities interact with and experience the urban environment. The research employs a multi-step methodology, starting with geospatial mapping of TG communities in Pune, India, using GIS tools, in collaboration with transgender community members and NGOs. It further involves mapping daily activities, socio-spatial experiences, and behavioral patterns through Follow- on method, field observations, semi-structured interviews, photographic documentation, and snowball sampling. Quantitative methods such as Importance-Satisfaction Analysis (ISA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), conducted using the jamovi statistical tool, are employed to evaluate the factors influencing the quality of life of transgender (TG) individuals. These analyses contribute to the formulation of a TG-specific Quality of Life Index, offering a structured assessment across social, economic, physical, and institutional dimensions. Additionally, the study applies the Delphi method to gather expert insights for evaluating existing legal and administrative frameworks, helping to identify policy gaps and areas for targeted intervention. Grounded in a feminist and intersectional perspective, the research critically examines how gender identity, socio-economic exclusion, and exposure to urban vulnerabilities collectively impact the well-being of TG communities. By foregrounding issues of spatial justice, safety, and accessibility, the study contributes to an interdisciplinary understanding of how equitable access to urban space is central to building socially sustainable and inclusive cities. The findings aim to guide urban policymakers and spatial planners to foster safer, more inclusive environments for transgender communities. Keywords: Urban Spaces, Transgender Communities, Accessibility, Discrimination, Exclusion, Socio-Economic Marginalization, Quality of Life (QoL), Spatial Justice, Social Inclusion.