Quality spaces: prioritising people in our climate response
Inclusivity is critical as we redefine our towns and cities, writes Leah Stuart for Women in Property's Spring newsletter
Leah Stuart, director of our North studio, has been chatting to Women in Property for their Spring newsletter, about the importance of prioritising people in our climate response.
We're longstanding supporters of Women in Property, and are proud to be once again supporting their People-Innovation-Place annual summit, taking place on our doorstep in Manchester on 23rd April.
Watch this space for more details of our involvement at the summit, and take a read of Leah's piece below.
Inclusivity is critical as we redefine our towns and cities. Climate change impacts everyone, but societal inequalities mean more vulnerable groups face disproportionate risks.
Women, minority communities and older people often experience greater exposure to climate-related threats like flooding, due to caregiving responsibilities or lower incomes that limit their adaptive capacity.
As we build climate resilience, we must design our built environment and transport systems with these realities front of mind.
Delivering climate commitments fairly
Tackling climate change is now a national investment priority. In Yorkshire, where I lead Civic’s Leeds studio, the Mayor of West Yorkshire and regional leaders declared a climate emergency setting an ambitious Net Zero target for 2038 - ahead of national timelines.
West Yorkshire's decarbonisation strategy is extensive, and such significant infrastructure investment offers opportunities to deliver a just, equitable future. Central to this is adopting inclusive approaches to public spaces and transport while ensuring climate responsiveness.
Creating well-lit walkable pathways, open gathering spaces, and safe cycling routes improves accessibility and safety for everyone. Stretford Kingsway in Greater Manchester is a brilliant example. We were lead designers on the project to transform a four-lane, vehicle-dominated dual carriageway into a people-first, green street. The scheme provides wide surface level pedestrian crossings to replace dark subways which were accessed by awkward stepped ramps.
Crossing the road is now significantly safer, easier and specifically benefits those people relying on wheelchairs or pushing buggies, as well as women and others who reported feeling unsafe in the underpass.
New planting and play features bring fun, beauty and interest, as well as introducing nature and managing local flooding. These more attractive physical connections between the town centre and surrounding residential communities will benefit local businesses because the experience of walking and cycling to the shops is now more attractive. We know this because, since opening in 2024, the number of cyclists using this route has increased by 725%. The scheme has gone on to win multiple awards for its positive impact on the community.
Community-led solutions
Stretford Kingsway shows how improving routes for shorter micro-journeys can deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. But these can be delivered on a smaller scale too, and in schemes instigated, designed and delivered by communities. In Manningham, Bradford, teenage girls from Hollings Youth Association are collaborating with social enterprise Street Space to create safer snickets - an excellent example of community engagement in action.
However, we must do more to embed personal safety and inclusivity into transport network design. Bus routes should accommodate school runs, and winter gritting must be extended to pavements to ensure people can walk and wheel in all weathers.
Asking thoughtful questions, deconstructing barriers and genuinely exploring accessibility, safety, and inclusivity are key to ensuring sustainable transport becomes the natural first choice and everyone feels safe enjoying outdoor spaces.
By integrating climate action with social equity, we create stronger communities prepared for the challenges ahead.
