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How Planning Can Help Enact Changes?
Planning inclusively will be pivotal in the reshaping of Australian suburbs, cities, towns and regions to engender equity, belonging and wellbeing in a rapidly changing world.
Shape the future
Equity and inclusion are a fundamental part of planning and key to liveable sustainable communities.
Yet, what remains missing in Australia is recognition, education, advocacy, and resources in how we plan for people with diverse disabilities – a core group of Australian Citizens.
The term disability is widely encompassing and includes people with physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, learning, neurological, psychosocial impairments, mental health needs, chronic-illness, and neurodiversity.
To identify how we can plan to be more inclusive of all people with disabilities across ages, genders, race, cultures, and social-economic situations we undertook research with communities Stage 1a, and urban and regional planning practitioners Stage 1b.
The planning profession locally to globally plays a key role in shaping the futures of suburbs, cities, towns, and regions.
Responsibility of Planning Institute of Australia Members
Members of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) have a responsibility to be part of this change and to plan for disability inclusion and equity as outlined in our profession’s code of conduct.
PIA Code of Conduct (2)
1. Competency, due care and diligence
Our Members will:
b) ensure that the processes of planning are conducted as openly and as inclusively as is reasonable and that all relevant information is disclosed to interested persons
2. Respect, honesty and integrity
Our Members will:
a) not discriminate on the grounds of race, creed, gender, age, location, social status or disability;
b) treat others with courtesy and respect, without discrimination, harassment, coercion or inappropriate conduct
But we know there is significant amount of changed needed as identified in lessons from practice. A key starting point to help enact change is building capacity.
Building Capacity
A community of practice of planners (COPP) was identified as an important starting point to help guide tailored solutions for the planning profession that were identified in our research.
The COPP was established through the Planning Inclusive Communities research project funded by Australian Research Council and had the support of PIA.
Using an EOI process advertised through PIA network, we had 8 people who wished to participate, but due to outside factors only 6 members were involved in the COPP spanning over 2023 and involving 6 workshops sessions.
Due to time limit of the project, the COPP had to prioritise what would be a helpful resource to:
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give visibility to planning for equity and inclusion in disability and mental health.
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outline the practice issues identified in the research,
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reveal the gaps in current PIA policies,
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help drive actions around the four identified areas of change needed in planning as a profession and as a practice.
See Learnings from Practice findings:
A discussion paper was identified as the best starting point given the time and resource limits.
A Discussion Paper for the Profession
Planning for disability equity and inclusion: A discussion paper for the planning profession was established as a tool to enact important starting conversation.
The discussion paper purpose is to:
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lead the planning profession in a discussion on disability inclusion and equity,
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build awareness on how our planning profession can contribute positively and supports disability inclusion and equity and everyone more widely, and
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build capacity and empower practitioners by offering a resource and actions by planners to help improve planning for disability equity and inclusion.
Planners are invited to read the discussion paper which can be accessed here:
Discussion Paper Reference: Lisa Stafford, Akemi Traill, Andrew Holmes, David Bailey, Matt Novacevski, Megan Taylor, Trent Henderson (2024). Planning for disability equity and inclusion: A discussion paper for the planning profession. University of Tasmania. ISBN: 978-1-922708-72-4
Key Recommendation and Actions
PIA – Our Professional body:
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Developing a Disability Equity and Inclusion Action Plan under a broader Diversity and Inclusion policy.
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Establishing PIA Planning for Equity and Inclusion Community of Practice/Network.
Planners:
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Planners can start now with more deliberative and concerted thinking and action such as:
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Accepting and planning for our human diversity if we are serious about removing exclusion and achieving sustainable environments for all people.
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Reflecting and auditing how the five core elements - what makes communities inclusive are evident or absent in your own region or cities' processes and consider how to make your practice more inclusive.
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Even if it’s just starting with how you communicate.
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Being guided by and with the lived knowledges of affected citizens and communities to improve processes and outcomes.
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Advocating – being champions of change.