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Great communities are inclusive by design<\/h2>\n
Community-Based Design allows workplaces to adapt as people’s and organizations\u2019 needs change. Similarly, the continuous loop of inclusive design is a journey where designers and people with a broad range of perspectives continue to learn from one another, recognizing that perspectives can be influenced by race, socio-economic status, disability, size, sexual orientation, age, parental status, language, and many other identities.<\/p>\n
Consider how the employee population continues to change. <\/strong><\/p>\n People live longer \u2014 one in six worldwide <\/strong>will be 60+ by 2030 (World Health Organization).<\/p>\n 30%<\/strong> of U.S professionals have a disability \u2014 with higher rates among millennials<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 44%<\/strong> of millennials report a mental health condition (Center for Talent Innovation)<\/p>\n The number of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has increased by 175%<\/strong> over the past decade (JAMA).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A growing understanding of these experiences allows designers to create spaces in tune with people who need more control over their environment.<\/p>\n Key tenets of Community-Based Design build on the practice of inclusive design to give all employees more choice and control so they can do their best work.<\/strong><\/p>\n Community engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n The \u201cUnderstand\u201d phase of Community-Based Design starts with engaging a diverse group of employees and leaders to deeply understand how people work.<\/p>\n Social infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n Just as cities need physical infrastructure for transportation or utilities, they also need social infrastructure \u2013 places that shape how people interact \u2013 to build community.<\/p>\n Resilient design<\/strong><\/p>\n Flexible workplaces ensure organizations can respond to new needs and allow people to thrive as work changes.<\/p>\n Mixed-use spaces<\/strong><\/p>\n Create areas or \u201cdistricts\u201d that focus on a primary mode of work, such as collaboration or socialization, and support diverse ways of working nearby. For example, a \u201cCity Center\u201d designed for social activities also supports focus and collaboration.<\/p>\n Holistic measurement<\/strong><\/p>\n Creating a way to receive ongoing feedback from the people living and working in the space supports a resilient community that adapts over time.<\/p>\n “The benefit of embedding an inclusive design practice into Community-Based Design is that it creates a natural feedback loop to ensure the workplace will evolve as people and their work do.” <\/p>Kamara SudberrySteelcase Global Inclusive Design Leader<\/span><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_70,h_1024,w_1024\/v1747054824\/25-0254119.png\")