Traditional methods of city planning can be surprisingly rigid. As a result, they can cause problems such as making people feel excluded, unwelcome, or even unsafe. We need to change that to improve inclusivity and ensure spaces are empathic to all stakeholders. As a top architect in London, we want to look at it today, especially what we can learn from including more LGBTQ+ stakeholders.

A vital factor

No group is in a better position to advise on inclusivity than LGBTQ+. Fluidity, diversity and interconnectedness are at the very core of the community. As a result, they can help reject old ways of doing things and focus on new, more adaptable approaches.

The LGBTQ+ community is also one that has had to deal with the fact that many public spaces are not exactly for everyone. Often the designs create safety concerns, even sometimes resulting in areas where people fear to go. Some make members of the queer community have to modify their self-presentation and behaviour to avoid discrimination or worse. That is completely counter to the idea of inclusion.

Gaybourhoods

One thing we can see in a number of cities is the emergence of gaybourhoods. It has been happening since the 50s, but does it really solve the problem? The issue here is, while it makes the immediate area safer and more inclusive, the barriers to inclusion and safety concerns still exist outside the neighbourhood. It shouldn’t be that way; the whole city should be inclusive.

There is also an issue here with prices. Often the establishment of a gaybourhood involves things like urban renewal and gentrification. As a result, it can make the area unaffordable for the community that gave it life in the first place.

A better option

The best solution is to involve LGBTQ+ communities in planning decisions. They can effectively say how to break barriers to inclusivity and make public places safer and more welcoming for everyone. Focus on things like fluidity, connections, community engagement, proper representation, and more.

What we should be doing is proper collaboration. This would focus on meeting the needs of all communities. It could lead to some fantastic innovations, creating spaces to suit all kinds of cultural needs and social uses.

Do you want help from a top architect in London?

At Coffey Architects, we understand the value of good planning. It can lead to the best results for any project, whether it is a public space, housing, commercial buildings, or anything else. A big part of this is ensuring we focus on inclusivity.

So, if you have a project in mind and want to work with a reliable architect in London, speak to us. We’d love to assist you, offering a truly collaborative approach.