Rural areas
Inclusive rural spaces must be designed to ensure access for all. By enhancing accessibility, promoting sustainability, and respecting social and cultural diversity, rural communities can be made more equitable. Involving local communities in the planning process is key to achieving fair and sustainable development. Well-connected rural areas supports their continuity.
- Ensure roads and public transport stations are accessible to people with mobility impairments, with ramps and low-floor buses.
- Promote rural connectivity to encourage autonomous growth, prioritising networks that do not rely on major cities, while also maintaining city-village links.
- Promote accessible farming techniques such as raised garden beds, supporting food sovereignty and inclusion of people with disabilities.
- Design energy-efficient rural homes that save water and support ecological sustainability.
- Create accessible trails and viewing platforms for people with disabilities to experience nature.
- Respect and ensure local communities’ territorial rights, ensuring their participation in planning processes.
- Involve local communities and marginalised groups in the design and planning stages to ensure inclusion.
- Ensure fair wages, affordable housing, and accessible services to reduce economic disparities in rural areas.