This groundbreaking collection examines how feminist urbanism is transforming Latin American cities through innovative care policies and grassroots organizing. Drawing on cases from Mexico City, Bogotá, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro and beyond, the book reveals how feminist activists, bureaucrats and community organizations are challenging patriarchal spatial orders by reimagining urban infrastructure around care and social reproduction. The book showcases concrete interventions—from care blocks and collective kitchens to gender violence policies—that demonstrate how feminism movements are reshaping urban governance and citizenship. Highlighting innovation and best practice, the collection offers inspiring reading for scholars, planners and policy makers seeking equitable urban futures.
Charmain Levy is Professor in International Development Studies at the University of Outaouais (UQO) Quebec. Ana Laura Rodríguez Gustá is Professor in the School of Politics and Government at the National University of San Martín.
Introduction: Conceptual Foundations of Feminist Urbanism, Municipal Policy and CareCharmain Levy and Ana Laura Rodríguez GustáPart I: Feminist Policies in Practice1. UTOPIAS in Iztapalapa: From the Right to the City to the Right to Caring Cities? - Karol Yañez, Lorena Zárate, and Jill Wigle2. Towards a Caring City? Insights from the Care Blocks in Bogotá - Isabel Duque Franco3. “Ahora Me Animo a Hablar” (Now I Dare to Speak): The Fortalecidas Local Policy and Grassroots Empowerment in Montevideo - Lena Fontela Kopl, Natalia Guidobono Genisans, Mariana Rodríguez Espinosa and Ana Laura Rodríguez Gustá4. Gender Violence Policy Initiatives in Three Brazilian Cities: Comparing Institutional Restrictions - Mariana Barbosa de SouzaPart II: Grassroots Feminist Praxis5. Collective Kitchens as a Popular Feminist Care Policy in Practice? The Case of the Comedores Comunitario in Mexico City - Nora Nagels and Françoise Montambeault6. The (Other) Popular Feminism of Favela Women in Rio de Janeiro - Nilza Rogéria Nunes and Anne-Marie Veillette7. Feminist and Religious Territorialities: Women’s Organisations in Moreno, Argentina - Abril García MurPart III: Comparative Insights and Lessons Learned8. Cities That Care: Feminist Infrastructures and the Socio-Spatial Politics of Care - Clara Irazábal9. Afterword - Charmain Levy and Ana Laura Rodríguez Gustá
"This collective volume constitutes a welcome new contribution to the study of cases and experiences of feminist advocacy, highlighting the Global South at the local scale." Alejandra Massolo, Independent Consultant, Expert in Urban and Municipal Studies