BelongingScape: Enhancing Urban Streetscapes for Inclusivity and Accessibility

This thesis explores the urban realm of Central Newtown, Wellington, focusing on the transformative design of contested spaces to enhance safety and accessibility for students. Central to this study are two schools and a public hospital located on Mein Street. Traffic congestion on Mein Street, used by Newtown School for pick-up and drop-off and as a parking lot for hospital staff and patients, is a significant issue. An alternative route, the “linear park,” was designed to ensure students can go to school safely. This park addresses the need for walkable paths for children, as the streets in Central Newtown lack the essentials. The park creates a universal design suitable for all users, as what works for children usually works for everyone.

Through a series of site investigations, including observations, data collection, and analysis, this thesis identifies key challenges and opportunities within Central Newtown’s urban landscape. The findings highlight the correlation between street activity, traffic flow, and the need to create pedestrian safety for children to reduce traffic pressure. The study emphasizes the importance of smooth transitions, tactile ground surface indicators, and other inclusive design elements that facilitate safe and independent navigation for people with visual impairments. Since children can have disabilities, creating these features can be useful for all users.