Delivering an equality impact assessment and a wayfinding strategy for a British university campus accessible to the general public

Equitable Landscaping and Wayfinding

A university campus required an equality impact assessment (EqIA) and a wayfinding strategy as part of its landscaping strategy and planning application submission. Because the site in question is accessible by the general public, the design needed to consider the requirements of the public as well as university students.

Our Equalities team provided a full review of all external public spaces, landscaping plans, and the wayfinding strategy. We marked up design plans with suggestions, delivered an EqIA report, and suggested recommendations for the wayfinding strategy. These included the use of contrasting materials and colours, regular and appropriate seating and benches, and the delineation of shared spaces. Our reviews were undertaken to keep the landscape strategy compliant with the Equality Act 2010—which requires identification and consideration of potential impacts of activities and schemes on all people with protected characteristics such as age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and marriage and civil partnership. Multiple consultation events were held with students, university staff, access and disability specialists, older people’s council, regional police force, and the university’s equality and diversity team.

The result? A public space on campus that offers more accessible and inclusive access for students, professors, and the general public alike.