Visualization for universal design in planning and building processes

The project develops visualization tools to integrate universal design in urban planning. Through co-creative workshops with Lund University, Gothenburg and Lund, it tests methods to visualize user diversity, clarify conflicts, support participation, and spread inclusive, sustainable solutions.

Purpose and goal

This project aims to develop tools for visualization that supports the inclusion of universal design perspectives throughout the planning and construction process, as well as making potential goal conflicts clear in order to handle such conflicts better. The core of the project will be to explore which / which types of visualization work in different stages of the urban planning process, and based on the results obtained develop visualization tools with associated educational materials.

Expected effects and result

The goal of the project is to create tools that:

Make visible how planned environments work for different persons and abilities. Also through different types of visualization facilitate the participation of citizens in planning processes.
Facilitate the balancing of social and environmental sustainability by also highlighting the social consequences of different designs.
Educate actors to understand human diversity and different types of needs relating to the environment.
Spread examples of solutions that are good for everyone.

Planned approach and implementation

The project is planned as a four year project, to allow evaluation over time in real processes. The backbone of the project consists of different types of co-creative activities and workshops. The project begins with an analysis, followed by iterative concept development, tool development, evaluation and finally dissemination of the results.The work is a collaboration between Lund university, the Department of Design Sciences, the City of Gothenburg and Lund municipality.