Author: Jane Bringolf

Retrofitting for the Olympic Games

The retrofitting of Olympic and Paralympic Games venues for accessibility tends to focus on the Paralympic Games, para-athletes. While we continue with this discourse inclusion will continue to be seen as a parallel and separate endeavour. Both Games need the same levels of accessibility and inclusion and should therefore be discussed as one event, not two.

“This effort goes beyond simply following established guidelines; it calls for a deeper commitment to embracing both the letter and the spirit of universal design principles.”

“… effective transformation is contingent on targeted retrofitting strategies rooted in universal design and a commitment to inclusivity among all stakeholders.”

An empty sports stadium with rows of blue seats set around a green playing field.

Focus on wheelchair users is not the end but the beginning

We have entered an era of conservation when it comes to staging major international events. The Olympic and Paralympic committees now want to see existing facilities upgraded rather than new infrastructure. While this might tick sustainability boxes, not all venues can be easily adapted. While basic access can be improved, it is questionable whether inclusion is attained for all.

A literature review looks at past Olympic and Paralympic sporting and spectator facilities. The researchers found that relying on existing regulatory frameworks are an insufficient condition for access and inclusion. Reflections on past events reveal the importance of going beyond basic compliance. And that means taking a universal design approach.

Universal design is needed

A universal design approach promotes the need to meet inclusive standards, not just compliance standards. Modifications to the layout and architecture are important and need the integration of specialised equipment and designated areas for the diverse range of athletes and spectators.

Embracing these standards as a catalyst for innovation rather than mere compliance fosters the pursuit of excellence and aligns with the spirit of the Paralympic Games.

The title is, Enhancing Access and Inclusion: The Retrofitting of Olympic Facilities for the Paralympic Games. The authors recommend a systematic evaluation of universal design in sports complexes with a focus on tangible benefits for all. Paralympic Games can act as a catalyst for universally accessible and inclusive sports facilities.

From the abstract

This paper examines the significance of retrofitting initiatives in creating accessible sports environments. By modifying existing venues, these efforts accommodate the
unique needs of individuals with disabilities, enhancing both athlete participation and the spectator experience.

Key retrofitting strategies, such as installing wheelchair ramps and accessible seating, contribute to a more equitable environment. Addressing the specific needs of Paralympic athletes and spectators demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity in sports.

Beyond the Paralympic Games, retrofitted facilities set a standard for future events and public venues, promoting societal inclusivity. This paper highlights how retrofitting fosters equality in both sports and society, emphasizing its role in advancing an inclusive and accessible future.

Tokyo’s Olympic legacy acknowledges population ageing

The two mascots, for the Tokyo Olympic Games, one in pink and one in blue. They look like dolls with big ears and eyes. Although Japan has the oldest population in the world, creating accessible urban spaces is making very slow progress. Tokyo aimed to have all parts of the city that linked to the Olympic venues completely barrier-free. That includes buildings, transportation, services and open spaces. Tokyo’s Olympic legacy is discussed in an open access book chapter. 

Deidre Sneep discusses the issues regarding the urban design legacy in the Japanese context and commercialisation. The title of the book chapter on page 91 is, Discover tomorrow: Tokyo’s ‘barrier-free’ Olympic legacy and the urban ageing population. It’s free to download, but if you have institutional access you can access the journal article version.

One interesting aspect is that some argue that the government’s guide to promote a ‘barrier-free spirit’ makes it sound like an act of friendliness. Any kind of patronising attitude or slogan only serves to maintain marginalisation as the norm. Posters focus on young people and make barrier-free a special design. There are no older people in the pictures.

The implementation of the universal design concept is increasingly commercialised says Sneep. This is likely due to the history of universal design in Japan. One of the first international universal design conferences was held in Japan in 2002, and was led by giant product manufacturers such as Mitsubishi. The International Association for Universal Design (IAUD) remains active. 

In 2020 Tokyo will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the second time in history. With a strong emphasis on the future – Tokyo’s slogan for the Olympic Games is ‘Discover Tomorrow’ – Tokyo is branded as city of youth and hope. Tokyo’s demographics, however, show a different image: in the coming decades, it is expected that well over a third of the citizens will be over 65. Despite the focus on a youthful image, Tokyo is well aware of the fact that its demographics are rapidly shifting.

Governmental bodies have been actively trying to find solutions for anticipated problems related to the ageing population for decades. One of the solutions discussed and implemented is highlighted by the 2020 Olympics: the implementation of universal design in public spaces in the city in order to make it more easily accessible – in other words, making Tokyo ‘barrier-free’ (bariafurī).

This chapter presents the concept of ‘barrier-free’ in a Japanese setting, critically analyses the history and current implementation of the concept, pointing out that it seems to be increasingly commercialised, and evaluates the purpose of implementing the concept in the light of the 2020 Olympic Games.

 

A public toilet is a human right

Most people can stall their hunger or thirst for a while, but some people find their bladder and bowels are more demanding. Access to clean usable public toilets are essential for everyone, but their designs are often lacking.

Joe Manton writes about the issues of gender inclusive toilets in the Spring 2024 issue of Access Insight.

All gender restroom sign. Black background with white text and icons.

A previous post discussed the assumptions underpinning the assignment of gender neutral toilets. Manton provides a more detailed perspective using the lived experience of people. Here is a sample of the topics covered. 

Toilet anxiety and security

Public toilet anxiety can arise for different reasons. For some it is a phobia about being able to use the toilet or being too far from one. For others it’s a fear of having an accident in public, other people hearing you, cleanliness, or sharing a space with others. 

Gender diversity

People who are gender diverse often lack access to a safe public toilet. They can be ridiculed, abused, threatened or assaulted if they use single gendered toilets. Consequently, something as basic as going to the toilet can cause increased levels of anxiety and depression.

When forced to use all gender toilets, women feel unsafe, and men feel constrained in their interactions with women in this public space. Social and cultural perspectives also impact the way people feel about using public toilets. 

Toilet wait times

The USA Potty Parity movement says that in busy facilties, women can wait up to 34 times longer than men. They also have to spend more time than men. Time to remove clothing, and at times, deal with feminine hygiene, see to children or help an older relative.  

What the standards say

The current status of the National Construction Code includes mandated requirements for sanitary facilities. Depending on the building classification it includes, male, female, ambulant male, ambulant female, unisex accessible, and accessible adult change facilities. 

There is no mandated requirement for all gender toilets, baby change areas, and assistance animal relief areas. 

Manton argues that there is convincing evidence to retain separate male and female toilets. Being trans or non-binary is not a disability and some feel uncomfortable about using an accessible toilet. It also signals to others that their identity is in some way a disabling condition. In a way, it is, because without suitable facilities they are disabled by design. 

Unisex accessible toilets

The number of unisex accessible toilets in buildings according to the Construction Code is based on disability. It does not account for the number of other people who need to use this facility. Often a baby change table is installed, so parents with prams and small children also use them. 

Manton provides detailed information in the article about standards and discusses all gender toilets in detail. She also covers toilet design considerations and proposed amendments to the Construction Code. 

The title of the article is, It’s a Right to go to the toilet – Not a Privilege. This is an update to the previous article in 2021 All gender toilets: We just want to go to the toilet.

A gender neutral toilet sign with a graphic of the top half of a person and a graphic of a wheelchair user. The text says this facility is for everyone.See also the excellent discussion by Nicole Kalms and Laura McVey in Commentary on Let Us Pee.

They argue “the proposed legislative changes for the provision of ‘all gender’, ‘gender-neutral’ or ‘unisex’ toilets operate under an incorrect assumption that gender neutrality will lead to greater inclusion”.

Books on inclusive design

This post features four books on the topic of inclusive design, accessibility and social justice.

Living Disability: Building Accessible Futures for Everybody is a book of essays written by Canadians with disability. It expresses their lived experience, their battles, their advocacy.

Front cover of the Living Disability book. It has an abstract background with black text.

The book is about being disabled in public and the privilege of having a private place to call home. It provides cross sectional views from colonialism to cycling, and from art to recycling. The style of writing is engaging and carries the reader through vibrant perspectives on disability justice and urban systems. Order from Coach House Books, or other booksellers. 

Design for inclusion conference papers

Design for inclusion: Accelerating Open Access Science in Human Factors Engineering and Human-Centered Computing is not just about computing. It includes papers on museums and cultural heritage, recycling, product design, urban mobility, vehicle design, door designs, map design, inclusive gaming, inclusive web design.

Front cover of the book of conference proceedings on Design for Inclusion.

This open access book of conference papers addresses age-friendly environments, disability, dementia, learning systems, clothing, digital media and more. Many really interesting papers from around the globe.

Of topical interest is a paper by Satoshi Kose, a well known Japanese academic on the legacy of their 2020 Games. Kose expressed his concern about accessibility in 2016 and in 2024 he reviews the progress or lack thereof. The title is, How far has Japanese accessibility improved with Tokyo 2020 Olympics/Paralympics?

Humans and the planet

Flourish by Design is a book about designing for a better tomorrow. The book explores the difference that design can make for people, organisations, and the planet.

The editors are so keen for change they have made it open access.

Front cover of Flourish by Design. A bright green background with black and white lettering.

Flourish by Design has 32 chapters covering a diversity of design ideas and issues. “Design impacts everyday life, shaping the way we engage with the world and those around us. This is not simply limited to the ‘us’ as human beings but also the many other species we share the planet with.”

Everyone needs low carbon designs

Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low Carbon Communities. Architect and ecodistrict planner Michael Eliason makes the case for low-carbon ecodistricts drawing from his experience working in Europe and North America.

Front cover of the book building for people.

Eliason shows the potential for new climate-adaptive ecodistricts that address housing shortages while simultaneously planning for climate change. Ecodistricts incorporate social housing, invest in open space, and have infrastructure that adapts to climate change. Eliason also looks at public health, livability, climate adaptation, and quality of life are interconnected. Full-color photos and illustrations show what is possible in ecodistricts around the world.

A housing ‘crisis’ for everyone

The media tends to look at the housing crisis from a middle class young-middle aged point of view. This is an ageist perspective because it leaves out everyone else not in this age bracket. Those left out include older people, young people in shared houses, and people with disability. These groups are always absent from the discussions and therefore remain invisible.

Melissa Marsden writes, “…this leads me to conclude that housing will continue to be placed within a discourse of ageism rather than a discourse of privilege. Where age or impairment are treated as unrelated issues, the crisis is only becoming more divisive.”

A small model of a house with a gable roof sits on a table with a set of house keys next to it.

Marsden’s short article provides a perspective consistently missing from all housing debates in the media and in policy development.

Marsden uses the ABC TV’s Insiders discussion program to highlight some of the issues missing from the discussion. The age debate focuses on younger people being locked out of the housing market. These younger people are assumed to have good jobs and reasonable incomes. That’s not all younger people and especially not younger people with disability.

While not the largest group by number, women aged 55 plus are the fastest growing group experiencing homelessness. Not all older people are superannuated retirees owning their own home. And some older people are caring for adult children with disability. Where is this group in the debate?

Almost all people with disability live in private homes – not specialised homes – not any more. But the media (and governments) still have outdated ideas about the aspirations of people with disability. Of course they would love to own their own home and be independent.

There is more about housing, housing design, and the Livable Housing Standard in the Housing Design section of this website.

Co-design and citizen science

Co-design is a term that emerged in the field of accessible and inclusive design. But co-design methods have been around for a long time in one form or another. Academics will recognise this as Participatory Action Research. Citizen science is a version of co-design that has its roots in environmental monitoring. This method is now used in urban planning and design.

Co-design and citizen science have similar principles. The common theme is being inclusive – that the people affected by design decisions help to shape them.

Older people sit at round tables discussing questions. There are four round tables shown in this picture. Citizen science.

Is citizen science the same as co-design?

Citizen science, participatory action research, and co-design methods are all basically the same, but have roots in different disciplines.

Co-design strategies vary according to the context and complexity of the project as do citizen science projects. The Fifth Estate has an article that discusses citizen science as a method of community engagement in planning. It explains citizen science as a type of research that actively involves members of the public in the research process. Regardless, it makes sense to involve users in the process of the design. This is something the universal design movement has been advocating for some time. 

“Citizen science has a long history in conservation and environmental monitoring, but has grown in momentum in recent years across a range of disciplines, including planning and urban design.”

A cityscape with a foreground of parkland and woodland.

Walkability in Tasmania

A citizen science approach was used in Tasmania. Residents audited the the local environment for barriers to walking. They identified priorities by using a walkability assessment tool taking photos, and participating in workshops. The information gathered was not only useful at a local level, but at state and national levels as well. 

“Our use of citizen science is enabling researchers, policy makers and community members to work together to generate data and establish priorities to support walkability that reflects community needs.”

A person with a back pack stands at the end of a boardwalk and is overlooking a lake nestled between mountains in Tasmania.

The article concludes that community engagement in planning is hard to do well. However, citizen science and customised technology are useful tools to shape urban design based on resident experiences. The title of the article is, Using citizen science to bring people back into planning walkable and healthy places. There is a link to more resources from Communities 4 Walkability. 

Doing citizen design science

Citizen design science is a synthesis of citizen science and design science that uses a bottom-up approach. The transformation of a car park into a multifunctional public space is the subject of a citizen science paper from Turkey. The authors explain the project and how they went about engaging with citizens. The co-design process relies on communication between designers, residents, visitors and the local authority.

An additional outcome of the project was to establish a Citizen Participation Unit within the municipal authority to facilitate citizen coordination.

Graphic depiction of the Citizen Design Science framework.

A key element of successful co-design is finding ways to design with non-designers through every stage of the project. Establishing a common language is essential for understanding the needs and thoughts of all participants. The authors break down the process into three parts:

  • Citizen science – type of data collected from participation
  • Citizen design – citizens actively design
  • Design science – translation of citizens’ ideas into designs by expert designers

The study showed that people without prior design knowledge are able to work constructively with professional designers.

Four photos here. Top two show three dimensional modeling of concepts. Two bottom photos show people sitting at tables outdoors discussing designs.

The title of the paper is, Co-Design of a Public Space and the Implementation: Atakent (Car) Park. The paper has several illustrations of the project.

From the abstract

Citizen Design Science is a co-design strategy for urban and architectural systems that uses design tools for citizens’ observation, experience, and local knowledge. The strategy improves the planning, design, and management of cities, urban habitats, and architectural structures.

This study is about the transformation of Atakent Car Park Area into a public space using a co-design process. Using design science data, two conceptual urban design projects were prepared. This included 178 local citizens’ wishes, needs, and suggestions about the area. Participating citizens were asked to vote for their preferred project and the selected conceptual design was implemented. Laypersons without prior design knowledge were able to establish a common language with a professional designer.

Age-friendly green space by citizen science

In many cities at least a quarter of the population will be over the age of 65 years by 2030. Adelaide in South Australia has one of the oldest populations at 37% over the age of 50. So this is a good place to run a citizen science pilot with older residents.

The method involved the use of smart phones to collect data, and the development of audit tools. The participants were encouraged to go about their daily lives so that the data reflected their natural life.

A line of street trees line the roadway.

While the data were not the main focus of the project, several important design elements emerged. In order of importance they were: seating, street trees, natural bushland, park trees and lakes/river/ocean. The researchers noted that public green spaces in local neighbourhoods may be seen as “green corridors” – a conduit to everyday life rather than destinations in themselves. They conclude that citizen science methods are a good way to implement age-friendly urban design at a detailed level. 

The title of the paper is Using Citizen Science to Explore Neighbourhood Influences on Ageing Well: Pilot Project.

From the abstract

The quality of public green spaces is mostly measured through expert assessments by planners, designers and developers. A disadvantage of this expert-determined approach is that it often does not consider the appraisals or perceptions of residents. Daily experience, often over long periods of time, means older residents have acquired insider knowledge of their neighbourhood, and thus, may be more qualified to assess these spaces, including measuring what makes a valued or quality public green space.

Age-friendly university with citizen science

And a university campus provides a neat environment for a case study. Researchers at the University of Manitoba went about examining the age-friendliness of their campus using specific citizen science techniques. This is all documented in their article, Exploring University Age-Friendliness Using Collaborative Citizen Science.

The main aim was to test the method, but the data collected were useful as well. The data revealed physical accessibility, signage, and transportation as being the most important for improving overall age-friendliness. 

The University of Manitoba is a grand university building.

The age-friendly university initiative began in Ireland at the Dublin City University and has turned into a global network. Academic institutions looking to complete assessments of their age-friendliness, particularly those exploring physical barriers and supports, could benefit from incorporating older citizen scientists into the process of collecting, analyzing, and mobilizing findings. You can read more about this global movement in a Forbes article.   

Young people and digital exclusion

Much is discussed about older people and digital exclusion, but this ageist thinking leaves young people out of the discussion. Hence the stereotype of young people being more digitally literate than older cohorts. Not all young people or older people are all the same. Often they have more in common than not. Access to digital devices and digital news and information is a problem for both groups. It just depends on the individual, their background, culture, education and experiences, not their age.

The challenge is to consider young people’s diverse backgrounds in digital design. Digital exclusion restricts social and democratic participation.

Two male adolescents sit on the kerb looking at the phones. Young people and digital exclusion.

A literature review by three researchers in Portugal offer some insights and challenges to the digital media world. Digital media play an important role in young people’s development and learning processes. However, not all young people are the same and some media can also become sources of exclusion.

Gender, race, and socioeconomics intersect

Gender, race, and socioeconomic, cultural, and educational backgrounds intersect and interact leading to compound disadvantages. Too often younger people are seen as well-equipped to consume digital media without considering diversity. Not all young people have attributes that make them more tech-capable. But what is more important is how young people engage with media and how they connect with the world.

Links between young people, news and citizenship

The researchers focused on studies that link young people, news, and their digital citizenship. We need to know more about how young people think, behave and feel, and what they expect from news. Access to news is essential for understanding and participating in democracies. It is part of the quest for enhancing inclusive citizenship.

Researchers suggest there is an “academic urgency to study, both quantitatively and qualitatively, young people and their diversity profiles in media consumption and production in their daily contexts…”

A young woman sits at a desk with her laptop open. She has her face covered by her hands and is indicating distress

Social and digital exclusion affects each individual’s life and social connection. Stigmatisation, and the gap between those with access to technology and education and those who lack digital citizenship competencies, is evident.

There is an urgent need for research to consider the particularities of the individuals who make up groups rather than focusing on assumed similarities. Diversity is broad and challenging, but focusing on it contributes to understanding the cultural, social, and ideological forces that shape society, its groups, and individuals. We are each all the better for understanding each other.

The title of the article is, Young People’s Diversity and Digital Media: A Systematic
Review (2010–2022).

From the abstract

YouNDigital aims to study youth, their engagement with news, and digital citizenship dynamics. One of the core elements of the project is a digital newsroom, a space for meeting and exploring digital citizenship and news, considering the significant disparities that characterise individuals in this group.

To better understand the target groups and to support the decisions regarding the development of the youth‐led digital newsroom, the research team carried out a systematic literature review focused on youth, digital citizenship, diversity, and different methodological approaches.

We explore the outcomes of the systematic literature review, and delve into the data gathered in one of the subclusters (Diversities). Findings underscore the challenges of inclusivity and diversity. There is a need for tailored media and digital literacy interventions that consider cultural differences, socioeconomic factors, and evolving technological landscapes.

There are difficulties, as well as the positive results, in using digital tools and strategies to trigger learning and motivational processes for diverse audiences. Digital tools that rely on media creation, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration can promote the empowerment and inclusion of youth from distinct backgrounds, bridging the gap between their realities and citizenship experiences.

The findings point out that involvement in collaborative, immersive, and participatory processes anchored on sustained literature review processes can encourage distancing preconceptions while bringing them closer to research participants. The article contributes to discussions regarding the potential and the challenges of considering youth’s diverse backgrounds through pillars such as co‐creation or inclusive design. Mitigating youth social and digital exclusion to enhance democratic participation is an urgent matter.

Active travel design

The aim of South Australia’s Active Travel Design Guide is to provide design principles for a more inclusive and sustainable future for all who walk and wheel. However, the guide could have benefitted from more than one page on accessibility.

“This Guide aims to enhance design outcomes for people walking and wheeling, simplifying the process of designing for active travel and promoting uniformity in outcomes across South Australia.”

Front cover of the Active Travel Design Guide showing walkers, a cyclist and a wheelchair user.

For clarity, cycling and e-mobility are terms for ‘wheeling’, and the term pedestrian includes wheelchair users. Inclusive design is explained under the heading of ‘universal access’ which is given one page. The seven principles of universal design are presented without introduction alongside a few additional dot points. “Children, seniors and people with disabilities” are listed as vulnerable pedestrians. Such terminology continues to segregate and perpetuate stereotyping by measuring them against a mythical norm.

The list of bullet points for design considerations are good for everyone. The next iteration of the document should weave these throughout the document. It is too easy to forget the diverse nature of pedestrians in design processes that include numerous technical specifications. Inclusion by exception is not inclusiveness.

The section on road intersections provides different treatments for where people, vehicles and bicycles come together. The orange markings indicates an infrastructure element. The green indicates pavement marking is applicable. Image from the Guide. (Looks like a kerb ramp is missing.)

Diagram of a signalised protected intersection from the Active Travel Guide. It shows the road layout of pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle areas.

Well structured and comprehensive

The structure of the Guide makes it easy to reference the different sections. Photographs of places and streets give light relief, and the diagrams, line drawings and charts illustrate concepts. Wheelchair and mobility scooter users feature in one set of drawings but are absent from all other parts of the document. The number of photographs featuring cyclists emphasise the focus on cycling as the key to active travel in this guide.

The Guide covers all aspects of road and street design and has sections on:

  • Movement and Place
  • Road safety
  • Basic dimensions
  • Walking facilities
  • Cycling facilities
  • Intersections
  • Greening
  • Shared streets
View of a shared street for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Street trees are also present.

Kerbless streets, or shared streets, are where a diverse range of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists find ways of avoiding each other. Kerbs clearly delineate and separate traffic from pedestrians. Consequently, the lack of kerbs is a problem for children, and people using a guide dog or a cane for mobility. In some cases, it makes the street unusable for some people and can lead to journeys not made.

The South Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport published The Active Travel Design Guide. It is based on technical documents rather than any co-design or community consultation methods.

Urban design choices for inclusion

Despite laws and policies, new building projects are still creating barriers that exclude people with disability. So where does it all go wrong? Urban design choices essential to ensure a universal design outcome are left too late in the process to deal with them. Conflicts between city departments as well as city and private developer goals are part of the problem. Their goals don’t match.

“…it was clear that the earlier phases, especially the planning and projecting phase, were critical, where most decisions and design choices took place that could result in either an inclusive or exclusive design.”

aerial view of three people at a desk looking at a set of construction drawings.

Three Swedish researchers delved into the design choices made in the the development of major built environment projects. They wanted to find out when universal design concepts fell through the gaps.

Conflicting visions and goals in the design process

The researchers found that the city itself had clear competing goals between private and public interests. There were even different views and goals within different departments about desirable design choices.

There are conflicts between the amount and the quality of urban development and how an ideal densified city should be designed. This is a serious challenge to universal design solutions as well as basic accessibility.

Balancing conflicts of interests and ideas between green and socially sustainable development also arose in the research. Urban design trends also challenge design choices that support universal design.

“There is no focus on who will live in the new homes, only how many new citizens the city will get.” This does not support the obligations for the Sustainable Development Goals, or the UN Convention for people with disability.

Image from the research paper

Image from the report showing high rise apartment blocks surrounding a square of steeply sloping land with an ay of steps and landings across the small open space.

The research paper includes examples with photos to explain how universal design would have been easy and cost effective to include from the outset. They conclude with seven recommendations, many of which are based on education and coordination of effort.

Refurbishment projects, however, appear to be better at including universal design concepts. Perhaps experience is not an educator – the rectifications on one project do not always result in better outcomes next time.

The title of the paper is Visions of a City for All. Resources, Choices and Factors Supporting and Impeding Universal Design in the Urban Development Process.

From the abstract

Despite laws, policies and visions to create cities and societies for all, barriers still exclude people with disability from using buildings and public places. We wanted to find out what choices were made and when they were made in the development process. We also wanted to know how and when these choices arise during the process. Our other question was what is needed to implement universal design as a strategy to include everyone.

The study involved employees and private actors in city development processes. They were asked to identify impediments and support of universal design in completed building projects. We wanted to know what choices were made and in what conditions universal design could be implemented in the process.

The analysis was based on qualitative data from workshops and interviews. The findings show that accessibility for all users is dealt with (too) late in the process, often giving rise to special solutions.

Urban trends such as densification and high exploitation can cause the exclusion of some users. An unbalanced view of sustainable development that prioritises ecological aspects puts high demands on users’ abilities.

The findings also show that universal design appears more clearly in remodelling projects than in new constructions. Other factors such as pre-studies that include human diversity, allocation of resources and experts’ early opinions also prove to be clear drivers for universal design. We conclude by providing seven recommendations for addressing these challenges.


Co-designing policy change

England, in post-Brexit mode, has taken a bold step in assessing the practicalities of co-design for broad policy change. However, national policy making systems are not structured for such a democratic process. Consequently, co-designing policy is a new challenge for the civil service. So this study of co-design for Environmental Land Management schemes is an important policy step forward.

Analysis revealed a mismatch between the principles and practices of environmental land management and co-design.

Policy co-design requires changes in government institutional cultures and practices.

A man in a checked shirt and a cap is standing in a bare field with a tractor in the background. He looks like a man on the land - a farmer.

This example of co-design processes is both broad and complex. The policy is about phasing out direct payments made to farmers and land managers. It’s also about creating a different system that aligns with other policy goals such as zero carbon emissions.

The Government’s co-design policy puts the responsibility on policy makers to be open to new ideas and ways of working. However, open policy making across the public services is not well defined. It seems the concept of open policy making has failed its commitment to less powerful groups. Indeed, it has given rise to involving the private sector elite experts.

Some of this failure is due to budget cuts across the public sector. Experienced staff were lost and then replaced with “experts”. Consequently, staff prefer the old consultation methods which are quicker and cheaper to run. Co-design methods, when done well, take more time and resources.

Three of the key challenges were:

  • lack of shared decision making in empowering stakeholders
  • confidentiality requirements causing barriers
  • insufficient transparency in how stakeholder views were used, or not
An aerial view of a farm with hedged square fields of green grass. One field has sheep grazing. There are three buildings with grey roofs.

Co-design for long term objectives

This important study highlights the need for ongoing commitment to long term policy development using co-design methods. It also highlights the importance of co-design for longer term objectives that need culture change to be effective. Without culture change the sustainability of the scheme or policy will be compromised.

The title of the paper is, Ideals and practicalities of policy co-design – Developing England’s post-Brexit Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. This is a significant piece of research with many lessons for policy makers and others involved in co-design processes. It goes beyond the co-design methods for individual projects, to broad-based policy aimed at long term outcomes and culture change.

Future of co-designing policy change

To enhance co-design methodologies the focus should be on refining and expanding them to ensure applicability across diverse policy domains. The role of emerging technologies could offer some assistance in different ways to facilitate co-design methods. The complexities of power dynamics and their impact on policy outcomes is another important factor to consider.

“This could be more achievable if policy-makers prioritize capacity building among stakeholders to facilitate their active participation in co-design processes. Providing training and resources to community members, especially those from underrepresented groups, will empower them to contribute meaningfully to policy development.”

Houses of Parliament in London showing the clock tower of Big Ben from the River Thames.

From the abstract

There are few examples of where co-design has been applied to active policy development on a large scale. England’s post-Brexit Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes offers a fascinating ‘laboratory’ to analyse how co-design at this scale works in practice. 

This paper offers the first in-depth empirical assessment of the process from the perspectives of both the policy makers and stakeholders. We provide critical insights on ‘pragmatic’ applications of co-design to active policy development. We reflect on what this tells us about the wider processes of policy development that may need to change. That is, if we want to accommodate this more ‘democratic’ approach.

Our analysis identified key barriers to co-design and revealed a mismatch between the principles and practices of ‘co-design’ in the initial development of ELM.

Challenges were: 1. A lack of shared decision-making and empowering stakeholders to contribute to problem-definitions. 2. Confidentiality requirements that introduced barriers to information-sharing. 3. Insufficient transparency and feedback on what happened to stakeholder’s contributions in terms of policy development. 4. An absence of detail on the schemes, including proposed approaches, payment rates, advice, baseline measures, the kinds of ‘outcomes’ expected, and monitoring mechanisms. 5. A repetition of themes that participants had already discussed. 

Many of these mismatches may be common to other policy arenas. We argue that improved application of policy co-design in government will rely on wider changes to political processes and the institutional culture and practices within the civil service.

Australian housing quality in question

Research from AHURI found that 70 per cent of households reported one or more major building problems in 2022. Policy for housing quality standards is fragmented across governments and ministers’ portfolios. And industry lobbyists are getting the way of improving the quality of our homes. The Livable Housing Design Standard is a case in point.

Policy for housing standards is weak and overly reliant on voluntary measures. We need a national strategy to improve housing standards.

Image: front cover of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) report.

Image from the front cover of the AHURI report showing a street of new single storey homes.

The research report uses two case studies to show that change is possible, but takes persistent effort to overcome lobbyist resistance. They recommend that purchasers get a performance report at the point of sale or lease. The rental sector should also have minimum standards mandated.

Relative to other countries, housing standards are not only fragmented but in some cases ineffectual. Too many standards are voluntary. Without mandated standards we cannot expect improvements in decarbonisation or accessibility for our homes.

The report highlights the lack of national leadership, and a strong lobbyist influence in maintaining the status quo. Governance processes are less than transparent, and voluntary standards are ineffective.

Front of a new house with 12 steps to the front door.

Case studies: Healthy Housing, Livable Housing Design

The case studies focus on the Healthy Housing Standards in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Livable Housing Design Standard in Australia. The Healthy Housing Standard was eventually watered down to just insulation and smoke alarms.

In Australia, the Australian Building Codes Board controls the National Construction Code. According to the researchers, compared to other rule-making agencies, “there is a lack of transparency in the ABCB”. Among other missing information on their website, there is no annual report of the Board.

The report charts the history of the Livable Housing Design Standard from the National Dialogue on Universal Housing Design to the final Standard. An interview with a property industry professional confirmed their stance on retaining the status quo. That is, they lobbied for no change to standards or regulation. Hence the whole process took 20 years and still the state governments are lagging behind in adopting the Standard. Industry has not given up on their position.

Review reveals weak governance processes

An independent review of the process taken to assess the economics of adopting the Livable Housing Design Standard outlined 8 recommendations. They were based on four guiding principles that the ABCB should follow: transparency, robustness, integrity and fairness.

AHURI researchers found the Livable Housing Design Standard provided important lessons for the ABCB. The processes were not fit for purpose for this Standard.

“When forced to take up the issue by the nation’s building ministers, the ABCB ran a very slow process. They were actively lobbied by the building sector to adopt a voluntary strategy despite the obvious failure of that approach.”

Front cover of the Livable Housing Design Standard showing a single storey home with garage.

The report is lengthy and is really about “why is it so difficult to get changes to the building code when those changes would benefit so many?”

The section on the case studies concludes with the need for significant policy changes. Without them, we are unlikely to address the issues facing the environment and the move to net zero by 2050.

The AHURI report is, A national roadmap for improving the building quality of Australian housing stock. There is a link to the full report, the executive summary, and a policy summary.

Homes for an ageing population in New Zealand

A report for FAAB Small Homes repeats much of what is found in Australia in relation to updating to housing design to suit the current and future population. Yet resistance by the housing industry to updating housing standards and codes remains. And older people are not seeking universal inclusive design in new homes either.

Although we, as individuals, know we are ageing, the concept of universal design and easier access to and throughout the home is not a selling point with consumers. In the report one builder-developer was surprised that older people were not interested.

“We didn’t get much out of it at all … it really surprised me, maybe clients don’t think they will ever be in that situation. … I bring it up with all my clients. But they’re, ‘oh, it’s not going to happen to me’.”

Aerial view of an expanse of a housing estate. Inclusive suburbs for mind and body.

The title of the report is Encouraging new-build small, affordable and accessible homes for an ageing population.

Jane Bringolf reported in 2011 the same issue of ‘selling’ universal inclusive features, even to older people. After all, ageing and disability is not an aspirational factor for one’s ‘dream home’. That is why we need regulation to suit the population into the future. The idea of getting old, even when people observe their parents, does not compute. Hence the market is not asking for it and housing industry stakeholders use this as a means of maintaining the status quo.

In more than ten years, nothing much has changed, particularly in terms of attitudes to ageing. The title of Bringolf’s paper is Hope I die before I get old: The state of play for housing liveability in Australia.