A new resource launched by the Champions of Change Coalition is set to redefine the role of design in creating inclusive and equitable spaces. Titled Equity by Design, the guide offers a structured approach to embedding principles of equality, accessibility, and sustainability into design and development processes.
As Australia prepares to invest $213 billion in public infrastructure over the next five years, Equity by Design presents a unique opportunity to shape a built environment that allows all people to thrive. Developed by the Coalition’s Architecture Group, which includes AJC, SJB Architects, COX Architecture, Billard Leece Partnerships and Hassell, the resource builds on the Coalition’s 7 Switches framework, empowering designers and decision-makers to challenge biases and integrate perspectives of diversity and inclusion throughout project development.
The resource focuses on practical steps for incorporating gender equality, accessibility, culture, and wellbeing at every stage of design, from planning through to completion. This includes actionable insights for early-stage design decisions and strategies for creating spaces that meet the needs of diverse communities. The guide also highlights detailed case studies that demonstrate how thoughtful design can foster dignity and address the unique needs of underrepresented populations, such as women, Indigenous communities and people with disabilities.
Elizabeth Broderick AO, founder of the Champions of Change Coalition, emphasized the importance of these inclusive spaces. “Equity by Design demonstrates how the spaces we navigate every day—workplaces, sports stadiums, public parks — shape not only how we live and interact but also the opportunities we can access. These spaces influence our sense of safety, belonging, and dignity. By embedding equity into design, we can break down barriers to participation and access, empowering individuals and communities to thrive,” she said.
“This resource offers practical tools and a clear pathway to create spaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and able to contribute fully, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable future,” Broderick said.
The initiative also collaborates with the United Nations Population Fund’s Equity 2030 Alliance, a global effort to accelerate gender equity in science and technology by 2030.
Organizations are encouraged to download Equity by Design and explore its practical insights, case studies, tools and resources.
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