Breaking Glass Walls: Public Policies to Counteract Gender Occupational Segregation in Urban Planning

The United States has made significant progress toward achieving equal rights and pay equity; however, gender disparities in employment and advancement persist. Women continue to face systemic barriers that limit their access to leadership roles and confine them to specific occupational sectors, a phenomenon described as “glass walls”. This study examines how gender and racial occupational segregation manifest within the field of urban planning and how public policy can serve as a mechanism to dismantle these barriers. Drawing on comparative analyses with other industrialized nations, this paper argues that increasing women’s representation in public sector urban planning roles not only advances social equity but also contributes to broader economic growth. Greater pay equity and inclusion can enhance municipal revenues through increased tax bases and stimulate more equitable urban development. Ultimately, this research calls for targeted policy interventions to ensure that urban planning reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.