The Role of Strategic Planning in Achieving an Inclusive Environment in Greater London

Julie Fleck, Principal Access Advisor, Greater London Authority, UK

Abstract

To present the work being undertaken by the Greater London Authority to promote an inclusive environment:

  • The London Plan will guide development in Greater London for the next 10 years and includes policies on inclusive design and accessible housing.


  • Implementing the plan - the challenge is now to ensure that London's 33 local planning authorities adopt and implement the policies and that developers and planning applicants embrace inclusion and help create a more accessible city.


  • Tools developed to ensure understanding and adoption of inclusive design will be discussed including Supplementary Planning Guidance Accessible London: Achieving an Inclusive Environment which explains the policies in more detail; the use of Access Statements in planning and building applications; a video on Lifetime Homes and the standards for wheelchair accessible housing.

Presentation

The presentation, illustrated with photographs and PowerPoint slides will be divided into 4 parts:

  1. The London Plan
  2. Supplementary Planning Guidance
  3. Accessible Housing
  4. The impact of future legislation changes in the UK

The aim of the presentation is to stimulate debate about the impact that strategic planning can have on achieving an inclusive environment in a world class City the size, complexity and age of London.

1. The London Plan: Why inclusive design is a strategic planning issue.

  • Who is the Greater London Authority
  • What is the London Plan
  • London Plan themes - growth, equity and sustainable development
  • How disabled Londoners shaped the London Plan policies.

2. Supplementary Planning Guidance: A powerful tool or good practice advice?

  • What is SPG
  • Specific policies on inclusive design and accessible housing
  • Key development control issues
  • Access Statements
  • How will London boroughs use the advice

3. Accessible Housing: Challenging new policies or a consolidation of current best practice?

  • All new housing to be built to Lifetime Home standards - are these standards achievable in high density developments?
  • 10% of new housing to be wheelchair accessible - can these standards make an impact in the private sector?
  • Do housing needs estimates address the needs of disabled people - the need for up to date statistics based on the social model of disability.
  • Accessible housing registers - do they have a role?

4. Future Legislation Changes in the UK

  • Changes to the Town and Country Planning Act - key themes of sustainable development and community involvement.
  • Review of the housing standards in Part M of the Building Regulations - minimum standards or best practice?
  • British Standards - perpetuating separate access or promoting inclusive design?
  • The Disability Discrimination Bill - the impact of the public duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.

Top

Main Page | Author Index | Title Index