Page 115 - IJPS-11-6

International Journal of
Population Studies Redesigning public spaces in South Africa

spaces and are often the most significant barriers to support a diverse range of needs while fostering social
inclusion. Research has shown that a lack of a sense cohesion.
of safety, particularly among women and girls, is the (d) Clear signage and wayfinding (yellow circle)
most pronounced challenge to creating truly inclusive The yellow circle symbolizes clarity, guidance, and
spaces. Public spaces that make people feel unsafe, awareness. Clear signage and wayfinding systems
whether due to crime or the fear of violence, cannot are essential for creating spaces that are easy to
serve as areas where individuals feel empowered navigate and accessible to all users. Yellow is often
to participate in community life. The use of red associated with visibility and attention, making it the
emphasizes the critical nature of safety and security perfect color for this indicator, as it underscores the
in the design process and draws attention to its importance of making information easily accessible
importance as a primary factor in determining the and understandable. This circle represents the need
success of inclusive spaces. This circle signifies the need for comprehensive signage systems that help users
to implement design strategies that mitigate safety navigate public spaces with ease. This includes visual
risks, such as CPTED principles, adequate lighting, signs, tactile guides, and multilingual instructions that
and surveillance. The focus on safety promotes not ensure people of all backgrounds, including those with
only physical security but also psychological well- disabilities, can move confidently and safely within
being, ensuring that everyone—regardless of gender, the space. Clear wayfinding enhances accessibility
age, or background—can feel comfortable and and reduces confusion, making the space feel more
protected in public spaces. welcoming and inclusive.
(b) Accessibility (blue circle) (e) Identity and expression (purple circle)
The blue circle symbolizes calmness, clarity, and The purple circle stands for creativity, diversity, and
openness. Accessibility is a fundamental aspect of personal expression. Identity and expression are
inclusivity, ensuring that public spaces can be used integral to the concept of inclusivity, as public spaces
by individuals of all ages, abilities, and mobility should reflect the identities, cultures, and values of
levels. The blue hue invokes a sense of tranquility the people who use them. Purple, a color traditionally
and openness, reinforcing the idea that public associated with creativity and individuality,
spaces should be welcoming and easy to navigate for highlights the importance of allowing people to
everyone, without barriers. This circle emphasizes the express themselves and feel recognized within public
need for universal design principles that prioritize spaces. The identity and expression circle focuses
the physical accessibility of spaces. It advocates for on the need for public spaces to celebrate diversity
the incorporation of ramps, elevators, wide pathways, by incorporating design elements that represent the
and tactile elements to ensure that individuals values, histories, and cultural identities of various
with disabilities or mobility challenges can move communities. This includes art installations, murals,
freely within spaces. Accessibility is the bedrock on and culturally significant architectural features that
which other aspects of inclusivity, such as safety and allow individuals to see themselves reflected in the
multifunctionality, are built. space. Such expressions of identity contribute to a
(c) Multifunctionality (green circle) sense of belonging and pride, reinforcing the idea that
The green circle represents growth, diversity, and public spaces are for everyone.
balance. Multifunctionality reflects the versatility (f) Inclusive amenities (orange circle)
of public spaces, allowing them to serve multiple The orange circle symbolizes inclusivity, warmth, and
activities and functions. The green color emphasizes engagement. Amenities are the functional aspects of
how spaces can grow and evolve to meet different public spaces that support social interaction, comfort,
needs while fostering a sense of community and and well-being. The orange color evokes feelings of
interaction. The multifunctionality circle stresses warmth and inclusivity, underscoring the role that
the importance of designing public spaces that can amenities play in ensuring that public spaces meet
accommodate a wide range of activities, such as the needs of all individuals. The inclusive amenities
recreation, cultural expression, social gatherings, and circle highlights the importance of providing a
economic engagement. By incorporating adaptable range of services that cater to community needs.
elements, such as flexible seating, movable stages, or This could include children’s play areas, restrooms,
open-air markets, public spaces can cater to different seating areas, shade, water fountains, and spaces for
user groups, thereby improving their utility and appeal social interaction. By ensuring that public spaces are
for everyone. This approach ensures that the space can equipped with essential amenities, urban planners can

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 109 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5813