Inclusive Communities
Making Cities More Accessible and Inclusive
Published 28 September 2026 · By the Editorial team of the organization
A town designed for a wheelchair user, a parent with a pram and an older neighbour is a better town for everyone.
Barriers in public space are often invisible to those who do not encounter them. A high kerb, a missing handrail or a pavement blocked by parked cars can make an everyday journey impossible for some residents.
Universal design
Universal design means creating environments usable by as many people as possible without the need for special adaptation. Level access, clear signage, places to rest and good lighting benefit not only people with disabilities but everyone.
Listening to lived experience
The most reliable way to identify barriers is to ask those who face them. Walking audits with older residents or people with reduced mobility reveal details that are easy to miss on a drawing board.
Inclusion is not an extra layer added at the end. It belongs at the very start of planning.