City Spaces – Resetting the bar

Can we really call our cities inclusive when neurodiverse individuals struggle to find comfort and safety in public spaces? Shouldn’t we be promoting design for neurodiversity in our urban spaces?

The post-COVID world has highlighted the critical need for accessible, high-quality green areas, making it even more essential than ever for designers to understand these unique perspectives and create inclusive spaces that cater to everyone.

Neurodiversity refers to the natural differences in how people’s brains work, encompassing conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. About 15-20% of the world’s population is neurodiverse, according to the NHS. The term “neurodiversity,” (introduced by Judy Singer in the late 1990s), emphasises that these differences should be respected as natural variations rather than disorders. As neurodiverse individuals perceive and process the world differently, the design of spaces significantly impacts their sensory experiences and interactions.

Inclusive urban regeneration in Norwich
As the public realm designers on Whitbread PLC’s riverside site in the centre of Norwich, a 11,500sqm urban regeneration scheme, is a great example of inclusive design. Delivering a vibrant new gateway to the city featuring an enhanced hotel, new homes, student accommodation, a public plaza, an improved river walkway, and extensive public realm. We worked alongside architects Sheppard Robson, to ensure the project meets high standards of accessibility and inclusivity undergoing numerous public consultations, including meetings with local group Inclusive Norwich to address concerns and suggestions regarding accessibility and inclusivity. We collaborated closely with the team following these consultations to incorporate these suggestions and feedback to ensure we not only delivered a compliant scheme but one which met the specific needs of future local users.

This thoughtful approach aims to ensure that the Norwich Nelson City Centre project not only regenerates the area but also sets a benchmark for inclusive urban development. Proposals include clear signage to improve navigation for all, including those with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities as well as visually soothing materials that are pleasant to touch. Outdoor learning spaces and natural play areas, including muddy play in swales, are designed to provide unique and engaging experiences for children, promoting interaction with nature and physical activity. Widespread ramps overcome level changes and ensure accessibility for everyone with mobility challenges. Diversity of spaces is key – providing nooks to offer quiet spaces for relaxation alongside larger areas for a range of activities.

A call to action

As we feel passionate about designing spaces to be welcoming for all abilities, our vision is to create a future where every environment is inclusively designed, allowing everyone, irrespective of neurological differences, to thrive. It is now crucial for designers, architects, developers, planners, policymakers, and consultants to prioritise inclusive design, engage with neurodiverse individuals, invest in education and training, and go beyond compliance with regulations to create accessible and welcoming spaces for all.

So, food for thought…new spaces are designed to modern regulations accommodating diversity – but the majority of city spaces are old, designed in an era where inclusive design was not thought about. It’s a priority now that our most loved and prominent city spaces need a rethink, to accommodate neurodiversity, benefitting us all – resetting the bar!

At Macfarlane Associates, we are passionate about inclusive design and we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in planning urban spaces to accommodate the needs of neurodiverse individuals.