Neurodiversity Planning and Accommodation: The Responsibilities of Urban Planners

Abstract

One of the key questions in modern planning corresponds to what the responsibilities are for planners. Are planners responsible for accommodating for the neurodiverse in the built form? In this paper, I aim to answer this question with extensive research into neurodiversity, its interactions with the built form, and how they can be accommodated for. I will express this through the use of walkabout interviews with neurodivergent participants regarding how their neurodiversity is influenced by the built form, as well as an interview with a planning professional regarding the existing state of accessibility in planning practice. From these interviews, I will compare them together, and contrast it with additional research into neurodiversity and planning as a means of exploring the connection between neurodiversity and the built form, and ultimately exploring different methods for how the neurodiverse can be accommodated. Finally, I hope to encourage the incorporation of Neurodiversity Planning into the broader planning world, as a key driver behind developments moving forward.