Equality is fundamentally about democracy. The physical design of a city affects our everyday lives: how we perceive each other and ourselves, how we meet, collaborate, and live our lives together.
Today, we face a range of complex challenges, both globally and nationally. Challenges such as climate change, population growth and segregation, but also housing shortages, disparities in health, and social inequalities. In this context, planning and design play an important role in addressing these issues. Architecture, when thoughtfully executed, not only provides a rich sensory experience but can also act as a tool for meaningful change. Equality contains many dimensions: public health, accessibility, gender equality, integration, the fight against discrimination – all connected to an inclusive and democratic society.
Equality in the Swedish law
All public organisations should work for equality, according to the Swedish Constitution, 1 Chapter 2 §. The constitution states that public power must be exercised with respect for the inherent equality and freedom of all individuals and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in society. Furthermore, the Constitution states that discrimination towards individuals, regardless of sex, colour, national or ethnic origin, linguistic or religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, or age, should be prevented.
Public health
The overall aim of Sweden’s public health policy is to create societal conditions that promote good health on equal terms for the whole population. Key focus areas from a planning perspective include ensuring participation and influence within society, addressing economic and social conditions, supporting the growth and development of children and young people, improving environments and products, and encouraging increased physical activity.
Accessibility
The goal of Sweden’s disability policy is to achieve equality in living conditions and full participation of people with disabilities in a society with diversity as a basis. The use of disability perspectives in community planning is always based on people’s differences, different conditions, needs, and desires and prioritizes universal solutions that work for everyone. It also includes identifying and addressing barriers to participation in the existing environment and ensuring that new barriers are not created.
Gender equality
Gender equality is a fundamental part of equality. The overall national objective of the gender equality policy in Sweden is that women and men should have the same power to shape society and their own lives.
Equality in processes
One way to further increase the intersectional perspective and strengthen democracy is to promote different degrees of design dialogues. These dialogues can serve to inform, anchor, foster participation, build support, or facilitate co-determination.
In May 2018, a unique decision was taken in the Swedish Parliament. Sweden adopted a new, comprehensive policy for what is known as Designed Living Environment. The policy regards nearly everything around us: residential buildings, schools and hospitals, but also the public space with parks, streets, and squares. The political goal is clear: “Architecture, form, and design should contribute to a sustainable, equal, and less segregated society where everyone should have the opportunity to influence our common environment.”
