Michelle King’s Post

We are proud to guest-author a blog with the National League of Cities on how cities can create more inclusive housing opportunities for people with disabilities. Written by our Collective Impact Manager, Kyle Seem, the article breaks down the Inclusive Design Standards, showcases cities that have adopted them, and offers guidance for designers, architects, developers, and builders to advance affordable, accessible, and inclusive housing nationwide. Read the post at bit.ly/4gf5QHY

“We believe that diversity is not just a buzzword but a cornerstone of innovation and creativity in design.” Check out our latest blog celebrating Pride Month and what it brings to our world of architecture and design. 🏳️🌈 #PrideMonth #pride #blog #aand #architectureanddesign

The Beyond the Urban URBACT network recently held a workshop titled “Enhancing Urban Spaces for Active Mobility and Accessibility". The participants examined how the built environment can contribute to social segregation and higher dependency on cars. They discussed the importance of shifting accessibility from being viewed as a "special case"1 to becoming a core priority in urban mobility. Submitted by Iris Popescu https://lnkd.in/gzTAjaJx

Reflecting on today’s insightful update from the project team for the Inclusive Place-based Planning for LGBTQIA+ Communities, a project I launched during last year’s World Pride 🌈, I’m filled with excitement. Hosted by UDIA NSW and Queers in Property, the presentation emphasized our planning for LGBTQIA+ communities must go far beyond just safety. We need to create spaces that foster a true sense of home and belonging, ensuring everyone in our diverse communities can fully experience, connect with, and enjoy our cities 🏙️. Key takeaways included: ▶️ Many in the community still face discrimination and barriers to connecting with others and accessing our cities’ spaces, facilities, and events 🤝. ▶️ Fundamentally, many in our community do not feel welcome in our communities 🏳️🌈. ▶️ The need to build environments where LGBTQIA+ individuals feel welcome, safe, and belong 🏡. ▶️ There will be a crucial role of training and awareness in driving the desired changes 📚. I eagerly anticipate the final report, with its detailed insights and practical recommendations to guide urban policy and practice in NSW. This will be valuable for delivering social infrastructure that truly supports inclusivity 💡. A big thank you to the project partners at UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, WSU, UNSW, Arup, and the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. Jason Prior Edgar Liu Rebecca Cadorin Mia Tulumovic Nicola Nelson Karen O'Donnell-McGrane Jenny Rudolph Let’s continue to push for inclusive, welcoming spaces for all! 🌍 #LGBTQIA #InclusivePlanning #UrbanDevelopment #cityplanning #CommunityEngagement #WorldPride #placebasedplanning #publicspaces #sydney

The Inclusive Design Standards (IDS) is a set of recommendations from The Kelsey, Mikiten Architecture, and the Inclusive Design Council that guide every phase of housing projects—ensuring a more disability-forward future. https://bit.ly/3EbuhbR

The Top 2 Reasons To Look at Newly Built Homes Depending on your needs and budget, a new build might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to bring your homebuying vision to life. If you’re interested in a brand-new home, let’s connect so you can check out what builders in your area are up to. GayRealEstate.com #gayrealtor #gayrealestate #lgbtq

In this blog, we answer the questions; why did #FourMillionHomes cancel our involvement at one of their webinars? Why should it cause concern for us all? And how do #GreenSquareAccord's actions undermine the #DepartmentForLevellingUp? https://lnkd.in/dMrW8VMV #HousingSector #CancelCulture #Transparency #Accountability #FreedomOfSpeech

Inspiring Event and Panel at Union by Emergency Architecture & Human Rights The Friendly City Many, including myself, perceive Copenhagen as an inclusive city. However, to my surprise, there is more to every space than meets the eye. While our public spaces may seem welcoming, they are often designed in ways that exclude homeless and other marginalized individuals—such as adding dividers to benches to prevent sleeping or removing seating from areas where less privileged people tend to gather. These subtle yet intentional design choices reveal a harsh reality: in a capitalist world, those who are not seen as consumers (homeless individuals, the unemployed, and other socially marginalized groups) are often pushed aside and left out of the conversation. The panel, featuring a representative from the municipality, a human rights activist, and a social justice advocate, offered valuable insights into the complexities of urban design and inclusion. Some take outs from today: It’s easy to point out problems, but real change comes from listening to one another and taking action. Ignoring issues doesn’t make them disappear. Voicing concerns puts pressure on decision-makers to enact policies. Empathy fosters understanding and drives meaningful change. I think as long as people and organizations continue to speak up and take action, the future remains bright. #thefriendlycity #inclusivedesign

Equity in the Landscape: Are New Subdivisions the Key to Achieving Equality in Place Naming and Public Art? Victoria is at the forefront of addressing representation gaps in place naming and public art. Right now, 9 out of 10 commemorative place names honour men, leaving just 1 in 10 for women—and less than 1% for women from First Nations and multicultural backgrounds. It’s a striking imbalance that demands bold action. That’s why we’re inviting leaders from the development and local government sectors to come together for an important forum: Equity in the Landscape: Are New Subdivisions the Key to Achieving Equality in Place Naming and Public Art? This FREE hybrid event will foster bold conversations, inspire collaboration, and innovation as we galvanise sectors on this mission to address systemic gaps in representation. We’ll explore how new developments can lead the charge in creating a more inclusive and equitable public landscape for future generations. 📅 Tuesday 4 March 🕙 11am - 1.30pm 📍 Queen Victoria Women's Centre 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 📢 Speakers to be announced shortly Limited in person places are available so register now to secure your place! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gpvZ8An2 PIA VIC Women’s Planning Network Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Victoria LGPro VIC (Local Government Professionals) Australian Institute of Architects Municipal Association of Victoria Victorian Local Governance Association Property Council Victoria Natalie Hutchins MP Sonya Kilkenny #genvic #genderequity #genderequality #puthernameonit #makehervisible #IWD2025 #internationalwomensday

From A+Dwire: Carving Out a Path to Access – by Rick Hansen Foundation #architecture #architects #interiordesign #interiorarchitecture #accessibledesign #accessibility #accessiblebuilding #pedesting #buildingdesign #buildings #design #builtenvironment