Author: Jane Bringolf

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.

Getting to school: the car or the footpath?

Are the lives of children really considered in our planning processes? The main reason for not walking to school is not the distance. There are several other factors at play here, particularly safety. However, getting to school and other activities is not a priority in land use and transport planning. Consequently, many schools are not conveniently and safely accessible by footpath or public transport. Result – they are reliant on cars.

Traffic, personal safety, convenience in busy schedules, lack of safe, reliable public transport are key issues. Consequently, driving is seen as the only viable option to ensure children arrive safely and on time.

A small boy wearing jeans and a large red backpack is walking away from the camera on a gravel path in a park. He could be walking to school.

Hulya Gilbert and Ian Woodcock discuss the issues in an article in The Fifth Estate. Road trauma is the leading cause of death for 1-14 year olds. That’s one issue. The other is that using the car for safety and convenience reduces physical activity. Getting to school on foot is good for gaining independence and opens up opportunities for social interaction.

School drop-off danger zone

Poor planning on the placement of schools often results in chaotic and dangerous school drop-offs. Gilbert and Woodcock say the afternoon pick ups are the most dangerous of all. Local school travel plans attempt to overcome some of the issues, but it is a piecemeal approach.

An alternative approach: Child Friendly Index

With a focus on population ageing there is a risk of leaving children out of urban planning decisions. However, what is good for children is good for everyone. Gilbert and Woodcock have devised a Child-Friendliness Index which combines social and built environment attributes. The Index demonstrates that areas with higher levels of friendliness have higher levels of walking, cycling and public transport when accessing schools.

The Index enhances understanding of what attributes make a ‘local school’. It provides concrete pointers towards specific actions and interventions. As such it supports the development of clear polices so that children can reach a wider range of environments.

Once again, designing for a marginalised group has benefits for everyone. Children should always be part of a universal design approach. Their experiences matter too.

The title of the magazine article is, Rethinking the school drop off: an effective and lasting approach.

The title of the research paper is, Is School Travel too Complex to Handle Without a Car? Assessing “Child-Friendliness” as a Pathway to Reducing Private Car use for Children’s Transport.

Universal design and social sustainability

Universal design in its broadest sense is about social sustainability. As such it links closely with other sustainability concepts such as “green” building and healthy cities. Sustainable design is like universal design because it is good design. That means it is less likely to be noticed until it’s not there. Four articles explain more on this topic.

Coloured chart of the WELL Building Standard listing, Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort, Mind

Image is from the WELL Building Standard.

Can universal design create social sustainability?

aerial view of a big city with skyscrapers

Applying the principles of universal design at the formation stage of planning can lead to harmonious, accessible, sustainable and healthy cities. This is the conclusion of a European study.

The study looked at the design and development of city space from the perspective of the varying levels of human capabilities. The overall aim of the research was to raise the quality of urban planning, and to develop tools for healthy cities compatible with the principles of sustainability. You can download the PDF of Sustainable Urban Development: Spatial Analyses as Novel Tools for Planning a Universally Designed City, by Joanna Borowczyk.

Forgotten social sustainability 

Downtown Calgary showing a pedestrian mall with tall buildings on each side. The sun is shining.

When it comes to sustainability, how many people think about social sustainability as well? Environments and people are inter-linked. The Sustainable Development Goals make this clear and one unifying factor is universal design. A new book chapter investigates the issues further. 

The title of the chapter is, Forgotten sustainability: A socially conscious paradigmatic shift in design. The title of the book is Situating Design in Alberta. You can request a copy of the chapter from the authors who are from Queensland University of Technology. The webpage has this synopsis:

“In this chapter, Rieger and Iantkow discuss socially sustainable design, especially its emphasis on universal and inclusive design. They present a history of thinking on accessible design in Alberta, which has moved toward greater inclusion. They also explain the incorporation of these concepts in design education and a greater social consciousness toward the need for accessibility. However, they stress that this isn’t enough.

Sustainability from an ergonomic perspective

Aerial view of a city with tall buildings. It is a black and white photo with bright green overlay on some of the buildings

The focus of sustainability has been on energy efficiency and all things “green”. But sustainability should have a broader context argues Erminia Attaianese. She claims that this narrow focus is paradoxical as maximising the building’s efficiency is not always maximising the comfort and efficiency of the building’s occupants.

Taking a human ergonomic approach to design, the author argues for a better outcome for both the building and its users. Note, the paper looks as if it has been through a poor translation and is not easy to read. But the conclusions at the end are clear enough. The title of the paper is, Ergonomics of Built Environment i.e. How Environmental Design Can Improve Human Performance and Well-Being in a Framework of Sustainability

Green building and social sustainability

“Green” buildings are often labelled and measured as “sustainable” but social sustainability is missing from the list. True sustainability includes social, economic and environmental factors. The US LEED green building rating system uses the term “sustainable throughout but is focused more on environmental factors. This is confusing because green is not the same as sustainable.

Stella Shao in a thesis poster says that as a consequence we are getting “energy efficient buildings that are not designed for people”. Prioritising social sustainability is good for people and the planet.

A modern office with lots of space and workstations by windows.

Using the Tulsa City-County Library as an example of sustainable design Shao lists three key factors for social sustainability

  • Comfort rooms for people who are neurodivergent, nursing, overstimulated, or need privacy for religious rituals.
  • Universal wayfinding to help orient people to make the space legible for people of different cultures, languages and abilities.
  • Comfort options for visual, acoustic and spatial comfort so every visitor can find a space comfortable for them.

Image from the poster

Pie chart showing the breakdown of how LEED weighs aspects of sustainability. 82% environmental, 12% social, and 6% Economic.

Shao’s literature review for this study revealed very few research articles on this topic which meant there was no best practice to refer to.

The poster captures the key elements of this study and shows how little research has been done in this area. The title of the poster is, Where is the Social Sustainability in Green Buildings?

From the abstract

While green buildings today are labeled as “sustainable,” many fall short on social sustainability metrics. This study examines what the current state of research and development is on social sustainability in green buildings and what the best practices are.

Green building rating systems are a major trend in the academic research. However, they are criticized for valuing environmental sustainability over social sustainability. Document analysis confirms that LEED, the most widely used green building rating system, does not adequately address social sustainability.

The LEED-certified Tulsa City-County Library demonstrates how to properly balance social and environmental sustainability in a building. Recommendations are made for future green buildings based on the data collected.

The abstract is from The University of Arizona website.

Social sustainability and design

Icons for accessibility .

An article focused on the social dimension of sustainability says that universal design is the way to go. It argues that there are promising results for a better future for social sustainability. In doing so, it presents universal design in all its formats in a clear and informed way. The way in which universal design is presented and discussed has particular clarity. For example, 

“Universal design is always accessible, but because it integrates accessibility from the beginning of the design process, it is less likely to be noticeable.

Universal design sometimes employs adaptable strategies for achieving customization, but it is best when all choices are presented equally. Some universal design is transgenerational, but the approach is inclusive of more than just age-related disabilities.

Universal design is sometimes adaptable and sometimes transgenerational but always accessible. Universal design, adaptable design, and transgenerational design are all subsets of accessible design. Sometimes a design can be considered to be two of these subsets, and some designs are all three. Not all accessible design is universal. Universal design is the most inclusive and least stigmatizing of the three types of accessible design because it addresses all types of human variation and accessibility is integrated into design solutions.”

The paper concludes that design schools should include the philosophy of universal design throughout their education program.

The title of the article is Applying Universal Design concept in interior design to reinforce the Social dimension of sustainability.  While the explanations of universal design are clear, the paper enters into technical areas that are not so easy to read. There are photos to illustrate points.

Tehran case study

A distance view of the city of Tehran showing high rise buildings and mountains in the background. Social sustainability and universal design.
Tehran city

Despite of the number of people injured in the Iran-Iraq war, and legislation for accessibility, urban spaces in Tehran still have a long way to go.

Hence this article outlining research on finding solutions for increasing access in the built environment. The research asks: What is causing inefficiency in the regulation of universal design, why is social participation by people with disabilities limited, and which factors are contributing to universal design? It seems the issues are worldwide regardless of whether the population is affected by war. 

The title of the article is, Universal Design and Social Sustainability in the City: The Case Study of Tehran Iran. 

From the abstract

The consequences show that many of problems are rooted in cultural issues. The people must attend to disability as a public concern which can involve everybody. They must comprehend that all members of society, regardless of their physical condition, have the right to use public facilities independently.

The second problem is related to lack of any integrated approach to applying universal design. This research proposes some solutions such as preparation a universal design master plan, an integrated approach for implementation project in all organizations, and public education for improving citizens’ knowledge about universal design.

The article is from the conference proceedings of: Universal Design 2016, Learning from the Past – Designing for the Future.  It is open access.

The smart city and disability

The smart city concept offers promising solutions using technology to optimise infrastructure and services. However, whether people with disability and others will benefit is unknown. Data insights and assistive technology should offer solutions for inclusive environments, but do they? Researchers in the UK outline the challenges for people with disability and explore the role of smart solutions in urban planning. Based on their findings, the researchers propose policy recommendations.

Briefly the challenges are:

  • Physical barriers
  • Transportation challenges
  • Communication barriers
  • Social isolation
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Financial barriers
A person is driving a wheelchair along a street lined with poles and parked cars. They need a smart city

Policy implications and recommendations

The smart city recommendations below are explained further in the research paper.

  • Inclusive urban planning frameworks and ensuring access standards are always applied
  • Collaborative governance models, and co-design with stakeholders
  • Access standards and guidelines specifically for smart city initiatives for all infrastructure
  • Inclusive procurement practices for products and services that meet access standards
  • Accessible public transportation across infrastructure, system planning and services
  • Data privacy and security means updating privacy laws and regulations
  • Capacity building and training based on universal design principles and assistive technology
  • Funding mechanisms to ensure dedicated funding streams are available for innovations

Prioritising accessibility in smart city initiatives can engender social inclusion and economic empowerment for all residents. Embracing universal design principles advances a more just urban future for all.

Two silver coloured high rise buildings in the city rise from a parkland area. The buildings look like they are made from large sheets of perforated steel.

The title of the short paper is, Smart Cities enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.

From the abstract

Smart cities hold great promise for revolutionising urban living. However, their potential to improve the lives of people with disabilities remains underexplored. This paper investigates the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in everyday urban environments. It explores how smart technology can mitigate these challenges.

By leveraging data-driven insights, smart cities can create more inclusive environments that enhance the overall quality of life for people with disability. This paper discusses the various issues encountered by individuals with disabilities and proposes strategies for utilising smart technology to address these challenges effectively.

Smart cities: the road to inclusion?

The smart city is about connecting technology with urban planning. But will it solve all the accessibility and inclusion problems?

A city skyline at night against a backdrop of a computer circuitry board.

Women, children and people with disability face difficulties accessing public space. This is because of safety concerns and physical barriers in the built environment. But public space must be welcoming and meaningful for all citizens. This is where community-led activities in designing public space becomes important.

Two researchers looked at digital technologies to see how they could help reframe public space design to be more inclusive. Technology should go beyond data collection to playing a central role in promoting social responsibility. Their research established a framework for creating inclusive public spaces based on site visits and users’ opinions.

The research study emphasises the importance of involving citizens in the governance of public spaces. They provide valuable data and insights about the quality and use of these spaces.

The title of the article is, The Use of the Smart Technology for Creating an Inclusive Urban Public Space.

Involving citizens in leveraging smart technology for monitoring, providing real-time information and services improves facility efficiency, and creates an eco-friendly environment.

This paper promotes the development of an urban public space that caters for a diverse community, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being for all.

London’s Smart City Strategy

Although technology offers several benefits for more inclusive and liveable environments, there are also drawbacks.   

Inclusiveness is embedded in the London Smart City Strategy, but there is still room for improvement.

Improving citizen engagement through collaborations, increased transparency, and measures for preventing data misuse and misinterpretation will boost inclusiveness.

A wet wintery street scene in London showing a line of mid-rise buildings and shops. London's smart city strategy.

The London case study highlights the potential barriers in implementing inclusive strategies for smart cities in practice. The valuable lessons may provide good information for other cities. 

The title of the article is Inclusive Smart Cities: An Exploratory Study on the London Smart City Strategy.

Smart cities: a revolution?

City-wide technology offers hope for people with disability, but only if there is a shift towards universal design and inclusive solutions.

An article by Marcin Frackiewicz discusses the possibilities for smart and inclusive cities from a optimistic perspective of technology.

A smart phone and wifi icons sit over a background picture of a cityscape.

Street cameras to help keep people safe and automatic doors are commonplace technology. And newer ideas such as ridesharing are possible because of technology. Apps for real-time updates for public transport to minimise unpleasant surprises. So what else can we look forward to?

Frackiewicz claims that the use of data for fine-tune urban services enables a place for “undervalued voices”. He optimistically says smart city technology is equalising, by making sure that everyone thrives.

The title of the magazine article is, Breaking Barriers: The Smart City Revolution’s Quest for Universal Accessibility. It’s a flowery writing style with lots of poetic turns of phrase.

Smart City Wheelchair Challenge

Drawings of a smart city car park showing cars parked vertically in stacks.

How to design a smart city that’s inclusive of wheelchair users? That was the challenge for a diverse group of engineers. Their project goal was to create a 3D simulation of a smart city that is sustainable and accessible as well as smart. 

Underpinning their design concepts were the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals have inclusion and universal design at their heart. The team documented their project from the formation of their group through to the final creation. 

Their report shows pictures of their Lego creations, sketches and artist impressions of sites. Smart services are the vision for the future, such as autonomous vehicles and how they will fit into the fabric of our community designs. They also considered smart parking, trains, trash systems and lighting.

This is a very detailed but well-laid out report. It reads more like a story, with plenty to share, including their spin-off into mobile apps. They had planned to do the final presentation using virtual reality, but COVID-19 and a university shut-down cut that short. The title of the 19MB report is, Smart City Simulator: “Phase Two” – The Wheelchair Challenge.  

See also, Smart Cities for All Toolkit. 

From the abstract

Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) assigned a project with the aim of addressing these issues. The main part of the task was to create a wheelchair accessible Smart City, as a visual simulation. Researchers focused on wheelchair users and all kinds of limitations: blindness, deafness, mobility difficulties, old, young, and pregnant women.

Based on our results, a Lego model built by Oracle, we asked participants what belongs in a Smart City, and what challenges specifically the participants with disabilities have in their everyday life in cities.

After the research, we decided to create a Smart City in Universal Design. We implemented an electric autonomous public transport system, a smart trash system, a smart parking system and a smart lighting system.

 

Gender responsive urban planning

Gender equity for women is a fine aim, but it’s not just about social attitudes or equal pay. Urban environments have a role to play when it comes to workforce participation. According to researchers in the UK, the way we design urban spaces is yet to catch up with this aim. Their paper on gender responsive urban planning takes a user-centred look at how women use urban space.

It wasn’t so long ago that women stayed home performing household tasks and walking to the shops for daily food supplies. Meanwhile, men were free to range the urban environment, assuming they were fit and able.

People produce spaces through their everyday use. Feelings of streets, squares and other spaces are important aspects in how they are experienced. This is essential knowledge for urban planners.

Three women are walking in an urban environment. One is pushing a baby stroller. A man nearby is also pushing a baby stroller.

The researchers’ exploratory study involved participants taking a walk to a central point and then giving feedback. Accessibility, comfort, safety and convenience emerged as themes. Their research paper outlines the method in detail and poses future planning strategies.

Future planning strategies

Planning strategies identified in the study included:

  • Incorporating social activities, not just economic ones, that embrace diversity and promote inclusion. Temporary art spaces and pop-up streets are two examples
  • Seeing and being seen give a sense of safety. More lighting to illuminate dark places such as underpasses
  • Aesthetic features add to the sense of comfort and safety. More greenery, street furniture, attractive shopfronts artworks and fountains
A red London telephone box converted to an ATM on the corner of a street.

In the UK shops with awnings are not commonplace, but awnings offer shelter from the weather, particularly the rain. Another simple by useful strategy to make places more welcoming.

The title of the paper is, Gender Walks in the City: An Exploratory Study on Gender-Responsive Urban Planning.

Editor’s note on terminology: if a study is about women specifically, it should say so. “Gender responsive” studies should be seen from a broader perspective and not used as code for women. However, environments designed with women in mind will be more comfortable for more people and take in gender diverse communities.

From the abstract

This research investigates gender walks as a method for gathering knowledge in urban planning and design processes. It is about gender-sensitive design, which aims to tackle gender inequalities in cities.

Intersectional gender-aware design is complex. Therefore we look at walking – in its simplicity and effectiveness – as a responding strategy. A comparison of three existing exploratory walk insights outlines the criteria for the initial design of our walking audit method.

The knowledge gained on gender-aware planning from both urban design and sociological perspectives provide support and critique for the ongoing City Centre Transformation Programme. The aim is to optimise public spaces for women’s inclusion, safety and enjoyment.

Gender inclusivity in streetscapes

In 2010 the Los Angeles Department of Transport published a report on gender inclusivity in streetscapes and transportation planning. The findings showed women and girls, especially those on low incomes, were at a disadvantage in this car-centric city. So what to do about it? The Department of Transport devised infrastructure design strategies that also included amenities in streetscapes.

While there is discussion about gender differences in transportation needs, little improvement has been made to solve the issues. And this is not just in Los Angeles. The first transportation report, Changing Lanes, provided the baseline information. The follow up is a report, using case studies, provides design strategies.

Case studies

Five case studies from different cities informed the recommendations.

  • Street Lighting: Seattle
  • Public Seating: New York
  • Bus Stop Amenities: Portland, Oregon
  • Pedestrian Infrastructure: Minneapolis
  • Bicycle Infrastructure: Austin

Photo credit Steve Morgan for TriMet, Portland Oregon.

Three different bus stops in Portland, Oregon. One is a pole with a perch seat attached, one at night and one in the daytime.

Note the small seat or shelf on the the bus stop pole. Perhaps a perch seat higher up the pole is better for people who cannot rise from a seat placed so low. The bottom right photo indicates a cycle lane between the bus shelter and the boarding platform. However, there is space for prams and wheelchairs under the shelter. Backrests on the seats would add extra comfort.

Planning recommendations

Six recommendations for improvements are based on the case studies.

  • Take a proactive approach to identifying deficiencies in infrastructure
  • Use geospatial data to prioritise
  • Set quantitative goals with success criteria
  • Establish goals between city agencies for partnerships and cooperation
  • Collect self-disclosed information on the gender of participants during public outreach
  • Include a gender equity component in project prioritisation methods
Front cover of the report Designing Streetscapes for Gender Equity.

This is an easy to read report which supports other research on inclusive and accessible infrastructure. For example, wide level footpaths, kerb extensions and pedestrian safety islands.

The title of the report is Designing Streetscapes for Gender Inclusivity, published by UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies. There are some good examples applicable to many other jurisdictions.

From the abstract

Within the US, Los Angeles has been at the forefront of making efforts to factor gender inclusivity into transportation planning. In 2021, LADOT released Changing Lanes: A Gender Equity Transportation Study. This study found that LA’s current transportation system is not adequately serving low-income people of colour, women, girls, and gender diverse groups.

To address these inequities, LADOT is taking the next steps to implement gender-inclusive transportation infrastructure design strategies. This paper presents case studies that support walking, biking, rolling, and waiting.

Each case study focused on a different strategy for improving gender inclusivity in streetscape design. That is, pedestrian street lighting, public seating, bus stop amenities, pedestrian infrastructure, and bike infrastructure. The implementation of these design strategies can ensure the needs of women, girls, and gender diverse groups who rely on active transportation and public transit are met.