Access and Mobility in Milton Keynes: An Inclusive Design History where Urban Planning Ideals and Design Intent Meet Disability Politics

This paper offers the first inclusive design history of Milton Keynes, examining how the accessibility of Milton Keynes was conceived at the time it was planned and designed. Prompted by the recollection at interview that people with disabilities were encouraged to live in Milton Keynes because it...

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Main Author: Rachael Luck
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 2022-09-01
Series:Diseña
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistadelaconstruccion.uc.cl/index.php/Disena/article/view/49535
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author Rachael Luck
author_facet Rachael Luck
author_sort Rachael Luck
collection DOAJ
description This paper offers the first inclusive design history of Milton Keynes, examining how the accessibility of Milton Keynes was conceived at the time it was planned and designed. Prompted by the recollection at interview that people with disabilities were encouraged to live in Milton Keynes because it was accessible, the foundations of this claim are explored through walkabouts, oral histories and documentary evidence. The study reveals ‘ease of movement and access’ as one of Milton Keynes’ planning goals and The Open University as the location for foundational arguments that shaped the social construction of disability. It is remarkable that the social model of disability and the injustice of inaccessibility surfaced in a city that was designed to enable mobility and access, although Milton Keynes in the 1970s is remembered as a place that attracted designers, academics, and activists interested in a more equitable future.
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spelling doaj.art-c40b850caed84a9ea81d1f66eb9526122024-03-08T21:32:59ZengPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileDiseña0718-84472452-42982022-09-0121Access and Mobility in Milton Keynes: An Inclusive Design History where Urban Planning Ideals and Design Intent Meet Disability PoliticsRachael Luck0The Open University This paper offers the first inclusive design history of Milton Keynes, examining how the accessibility of Milton Keynes was conceived at the time it was planned and designed. Prompted by the recollection at interview that people with disabilities were encouraged to live in Milton Keynes because it was accessible, the foundations of this claim are explored through walkabouts, oral histories and documentary evidence. The study reveals ‘ease of movement and access’ as one of Milton Keynes’ planning goals and The Open University as the location for foundational arguments that shaped the social construction of disability. It is remarkable that the social model of disability and the injustice of inaccessibility surfaced in a city that was designed to enable mobility and access, although Milton Keynes in the 1970s is remembered as a place that attracted designers, academics, and activists interested in a more equitable future. https://revistadelaconstruccion.uc.cl/index.php/Disena/article/view/49535Design intent Accessibility Disability politics Urbanism Design futures
spellingShingle Rachael Luck
Access and Mobility in Milton Keynes: An Inclusive Design History where Urban Planning Ideals and Design Intent Meet Disability Politics
Diseña
Design intent
Accessibility
Disability politics
Urbanism
Design futures
title Access and Mobility in Milton Keynes: An Inclusive Design History where Urban Planning Ideals and Design Intent Meet Disability Politics
title_full Access and Mobility in Milton Keynes: An Inclusive Design History where Urban Planning Ideals and Design Intent Meet Disability Politics
title_fullStr Access and Mobility in Milton Keynes: An Inclusive Design History where Urban Planning Ideals and Design Intent Meet Disability Politics
title_full_unstemmed Access and Mobility in Milton Keynes: An Inclusive Design History where Urban Planning Ideals and Design Intent Meet Disability Politics
title_short Access and Mobility in Milton Keynes: An Inclusive Design History where Urban Planning Ideals and Design Intent Meet Disability Politics
title_sort access and mobility in milton keynes an inclusive design history where urban planning ideals and design intent meet disability politics
topic Design intent
Accessibility
Disability politics
Urbanism
Design futures
url https://revistadelaconstruccion.uc.cl/index.php/Disena/article/view/49535
work_keys_str_mv AT rachaelluck accessandmobilityinmiltonkeynesaninclusivedesignhistorywhereurbanplanningidealsanddesignintentmeetdisabilitypolitics