Our unconscious bias: Inclusion and exclusion in the Public Space

In this edition we are joined by Donica, founder and director of RAUM: “the place we make together”. This gem on Utrecht’s Berlijnplein is an international example in creative placemaking and inclusive program practices. A baselines measurement research -by STIPO- confirmed however that seemingly inclusive practices can also lead to exclusion. This workshop creates insights in our unconscious biases and gives tools to work on public spaces from (underrepresented) communities themselves.

“There are huge potentials in democratizing processes in city and community development — but there is NO way you can do that if you do not mitigate unconscious bias. How do we include and engage all people and communities and turn them into engines for developing livable cities?“, – Tinna C Nielsen, inclusion & diversity expert (https://www.weforum.org/people/tinna-c-nielsen/)

RAUM uses real life based exercises -that led to unwanted exclusion in the programme and the design for the future cultural facility- to test peoples own unconscious biases. There will be a deeper insight on the research by STIPO -Dutch multi-disciplinary consultancy team for urban strategy and city development. And you will be given tools that have been used to create more inclusion with different groups, such as people with disabilities, residents with a Moroccan background and elderly people.