Equity in public spaces: a toolkit

Equity in public spaces: a toolkit for public space equity assessment

By Abdurrahman Enes Tütüncü, Beata Jonsson, Elisa Blanco Santini, Marianna Wasniewska, Marli Swanepoel and Moreno Schipper

This study aims to present a comprehensive toolkit for assessing public spaces through the lens of equity. The second chapter of this report establishes a theoretical framework encompassing equity, the needs in public spaces, and spatial satisfiers. The toolkit itself involves a three-step process, explained further in the third chapter, where public spaces are graded based on spatial satisfiers and the fulfilment of user needs. Moreover, this methodology recognizes the importance of incorporating participatory processes as a way to get direct input from the public, to conduct a more nuanced and intersectional study of how well public spaces meet users’ needs.

While the overarching focus of the study is on the development and testing of a grading tool for open public spaces, the relevance of this project is rooted in the context of growing income disparities across Sweden. Income gaps have widened in three out of four municipalities from 2015 to 2021 (SCB, 2023d), including Järfälla municipality, where this study is conducted. The examination of equity becomes crucial in understanding the fair distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits within society, particularly in the face of increasing economic disparities. In this sense, it is important to acknowledge that equity is a complex concept and requires careful attention to ensure recognition of all its nuances.

The choice to investigate open public spaces as an indicator of equity within urban areas stems from concerns about the equitable distribution of resources in public spaces, especially in areas of varied socioeconomic conditions. The growing disparities in Sweden spark thoughts about the distribution of resources and public spaces. Is there an equitable distribution of public spaces between areas of different socioeconomic conditions? Does the design of public spaces contribute to or hinder equity in public spaces?

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