Socially inclusive Lighting Design: exploring a method to enhance freedom of movement for marginalised groups.

Abstract

Based on literature and field research, women and marginalised groups often experience unwanted attention in the public realm worldwide. This attention often produces a gendered fear, which can result in avoidance behaviour of urban public places. Universal design has been implemented to ensure everyone can access urban areas, but this access is still restricted for many vulnerable groups. This investigation aims to find relevant lighting design principles for making public urban spaces more inclusive for all marginalised groups. A literature review, case studies of three urban places, focus group interviews, and an experiment with torches in the field were the chosen methods to gain knowledge. The findings suggest that the participants experience fear in public places when they feel exposed as someone who can become a potential target. This results in a need to see their surroundings and have an awareness of the presence of others. In addition, the experiment showed how they wanted to use warm lighting and beautify the place by enhancing details. The conclusion suggests six different lighting design methods to create inclusive public areas, such as beautifying details and legibility with vertically lit surfaces. These six principles could make urban public places more socially inclusive for marginalised groups, women, and other vulnerable groups. The results should be compared and confirmed by using control groups with other non-marginalised groups.