Urban puts diversity and inclusivity at the heart of its spatial planning policy. Its aim is to promote public spaces where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their gender, origin, cultural or ethnic background, sexual orientation or disability.
To assess permit applications, Urban systematically uses the Public Space Manual. This way, the principles of diversity and inclusiveness are anchored in urban policy and in the development of public spaces, to make sure they are accessible and welcoming to all.
What does inclusivity imply for public spaces?
An inclusive public space is a place designed to accommodate a wide range of people and uses. Physical accessibility is an essential part of that, but there are other aspects to inclusivity. It also includes a social dimension: how can we design public space so that it is welcoming to all? To what extent can urban planning and landscape design promote tolerance and inclusion?
Creating truly inclusive spaces therefore means incorporating a range of uses from the design stage onwards. This means avoiding single-function spaces, combining programmed areas (such as sports fields) with open spaces that encourage spontaneous uses, and thinking about complementary functions - for instance putting benches for parents and grandparents near playgrounds.
The views, the quality of the furniture as well as the presence of rest areas, drinking fountains or a variety of sports equipment also help to create accessible, comfortable and attractive spaces for a wide range of visitors.
Actions taken by Urban
The Public Space Manual
In cooperation with the joint venture between ORG Urbanism & Architecture and the Bureau Bas Smets, as well as a number of other players, Urban has developed the Public Space Manual.
This evolving document incorporates the various guides, standards, plans and tools that define the regional objectives for the development of public spaces, in particular the practical directives set out in the Regional Urban Planning Regulations and the recommendations of Brussels Mobility’s Pedestrian Accessibility Handbook. It is a useful tool that incorporates all of these principles and aims to provide practical assistance in the design of generic public spaces.
To reflect on the issues of diversity and inclusivity in public spaces, Urban enlisted the help of the non-profit organisation L’architecture qui dégenre, which specialises in this area, to support the entire design process.
The toilet plan
Providing accessible public toilets is another essential element of inclusivity. These are essential to make women, the elderly, children and people with disabilities more at ease and more eager to use public spaces. In this context, Urban has subsidised the non-profit organisation Garance to draw up a Public Toilet Plan, which lists all existent public toilets and makes recommendations to boost their number and improve their accessibility. The City of Brussels, Brussels Environment and the MIVB-STIB also contribute by providing toilets that are accessible for free in municipalities, parks and along bus and tram lines.
