Building Equality’s Post

How do LGBTQ+ populations and the politics of sexual and gender diversity connect with urban governance and planning? Join the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning for a lecture that will present case studies from the orbit of large, international-scale infrastructure projects that have unfolded into international conversations about sexual and gender diversity, human rights and sustainable urban development to the changing evaluations of the heritage of minoritized populations and the culture and economies of cities after dark. #UniMelb

✨ How can we design our public spaces to be more inclusive of and safe for LGBTQ+ communities? ✨   As an LGBTQ+ ally, I've been part of an ongoing research project called Queering Public Space, a collaboration between @Arup and the @University of Westminster. Our research aims to:   🌈 Address the knowledge gap on how to deal with feelings of exclusion and vulnerability experienced by LGBTQ+ people in public space. 🌈 Create a dataset with other LGBTQ+ people that will support the delivery of safe, welcoming and equitable spaces for all. 🌈 Make sure that we understand and incorporate a more intersectionally diverse range of LGBTQ+ people in various parts of the world.   ✨ So we need your help! ✨   We have created an online survey, which consists of two-parts:     -      The first part asks about your perception of safe and inclusive spaces, as well as your preferences of public spaces. So that we can analyse inclusion through an intersectional lens, we will also collect anonymised demographic information.     -      The second part are six 360° environments where you can listen and pan around a public space. By double clicking on a spot on the environment, you will be able to leave comments about the space.     https://lnkd.in/gDbeayyA   Please note that all responses will be anonymised and that the survey complies with GDPR and data privacy regulations.   Any questions on this exciting project, please feel free to reach out to me or any of my colleagues Mei-Yee Man Oram and Luke Evens   And if you're interested, please read our research reports here: https://lnkd.in/gSDC2Kt2 https://lnkd.in/gym6hsYC

This is an interesting take on practical ways of achieving a more equitable design of places and spaces. Especially the point about ‘universalism’ being the enemy of inclusion and the importance of ‘nuance’ in paying attention to difference in meeting the need of marginalised groups. As the author Victoria Lanteigne, Ph.D., WELL AP states:- “I’m unique in the architecture world because I have a background in public policy; I started my career doing disability policy work. I was essentially given a portfolio of all of these cases of non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It became apparent that compliance and accessibility were really important, and non-compliance was a huge problem. From there, I just snowballed into understanding not only the legal requirements but how little they do in terms of affording accessibility. I learned about the idea of going above and beyond what was required by law and code to enhance experiences for people with physical disabilities, sensory disabilities (hearing and vision), different cognitive abilities, and how people process information. That interest early on in my career made me curious as to how we create spaces that go beyond disability inclusion, looking at marginalized groups based on gender, LGBTQ identity, race, religion, or if you speak English as a second language. So, how do our environments shape our experiences, and then what are the design strategies to achieve those more equitable environments?” #equity #inclusion #design #place #leadership #learning

Changes are coming to the City’s Heritage Preservation Program! Today, the City launched Preservation and Progress, which will streamline the process for new homes while protecting places of historic, architectural and cultural importance and encouraging their adaptive reuse. Among other goals, the updates to policies and regulatory documents will: ☑️ Identify and protect historical properties and districts that are important to the City’s history and culture, with a focus on historic districts. ☑️ Reform permit processes to better encourage the adaptive reuse of historical buildings on their original sites. ☑️ Adopt design standards for historical properties and districts to provide clear, objective requirements and by-right approval for additions and new development. ☑️ Remove regulations that unnecessarily impact properties that lack historical or cultural importance. ☑️ Advance equity in preservation and prioritize protection of resources important to BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized communities. ☑️ Evaluate the Mills Act property tax incentive program to ensure it’s equitable and incentivizes the protection and restoration of important places in a fiscally responsible manner. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gW7Vjt3T

I came across this article this morning on how #feminist urbanism can influence (even transform) local government development plans. Although this isn't a new topic rarely do we see development plans with a focus on how women use the space. In essence, feminist urbanism is a critical approach in city planning that prioritizes #women's lived experiences to create inclusive and safe environments for all. From footway widths to street lighting, every aspect is meticulously designed to ensure accessibility and safety, while also fostering representation in decision-making processes. SmartCitiesWorld #gender #leadership #cities #governance #urbanism #planning #urbanplanning #transportation #mobility

🎉 Recognizing Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom and Reflection for the Construction Industry 🎉 Today, we honor Juneteenth—a pivotal moment in American history that marks the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing the news of freedom to enslaved African Americans over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Juneteenth is not just a day of celebration but a reminder of the ongoing journey toward equality and justice. Historical Perspective: Juneteenth is a testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of freedom. It symbolizes the struggles and triumphs of African Americans and underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing systemic inequalities that still exist today. Impact on the Construction Industry: The construction industry, like many others, has a diverse workforce. Recognizing Juneteenth provides an opportunity to reflect on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Here's how this impacts us: 1. Fostering Inclusive Work Environments: It is crucial to create workplaces where all employees feel valued and respected. This includes acknowledging and celebrating significant cultural and historical milestones in our workforce. 2. Promoting Workforce Diversity: Embracing diversity leads to stronger, more innovative teams. By actively recruiting and supporting underrepresented groups, we can build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Supporting Career Growth: Providing equal opportunities for training, advancement, and leadership development ensures that everyone, regardless of background, can thrive and contribute to the industry's growth. 3. Our Role in Addressing Systemic Inequalities: The construction industry has a significant role in creating a more inclusive society. By engaging with local communities, supporting minority-owned businesses, and participating in social justice initiatives, we can actively contribute to dismantling systemic inequalities. As we commemorate Juneteenth, let's not just celebrate the past, but also commit to shaping a more equitable future for our industry. By making meaningful changes and placing equity and inclusion at the forefront of everything we do, we can honor the spirit of Juneteenth in the construction industry. #Juneteenth #ConstructionIndustry #Diversity #Inclusion #Equity #WorkforceDevelopment

Recommended reading on International Women's Day!

If we want a future of more #inclusive and #gender-equitable cities, we need more #women engaged in their design and decision-making processes. This is something we strongly advocate for at Anteverti, and we believe that highlighting and recognizing women who have been contributing for decades to designing, building, and promoting better #cities for all is a crucial step towards amplifying the voices of more women in these processes. Therefore, today, as we kick off #InternationalWomensDay week, I am proud to share this list just published on #CitiesToBe, our knowledge platform 👇 #IWD2024 | #IWD24 | #GenderEqualCities | #InclusiveCities | UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) | UN Women

🗞️ News: Celebrating Pride 2024 As June rolls in, so does the vibrant celebration of Pride Month, a time dedicated to honoring the LGBTQIA+ community's struggles, victories, and ongoing journey toward equality. Among the myriad organisations standing in solidarity, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) proudly raises its rainbow flag, embracing diversity and championing inclusivity. In a resounding display of support, CIBSE has once again stepped forward to participate actively in Pride Month 2024. This involvement is not merely symbolic but underscores the organisation's firm commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered. Source: CIBSE #BuildingServices #BuildingDesign #BuildingEngineering #CIBSE #BuildingServicesRecruitment #MEP #MEPEngineering #MEPEngineer #Rics #PropertyDesign #architecture #Construction #Urban #Design #Engineering #BuildingPerformance #fire #Sustainability #VT #VerticalTransportation #Fire #FireEngineering #RealEstate #HouseBuilding #London #MEPDesign #CIOB #TheBuildingServicesPodcast #BuildingPodcast #BuildingServicesBlog

Embracing differences in design: Craig Sheach, Partner at PRP, highlights the importance of neurodiversity in shaping public spaces. Read more in the latest Building Design. article 👉 https://bit.ly/41vvL8C #InclusiveDesign #NeurodiversityInArchitecture #PublicSpaces #DesignForAll