How to Build Inclusive Neighborhoods & Communities: Nyasha Harper-Michon
Proud to have my passion for Archtivism and the values I bring to my work, challenging the status quo and advancing equitable, just, regenerative, and resilient communities throughout my career and currently at CP Planning featured by UN-Habitat.
UN Habitat Blurb: “Archtivist (architect-activist) Nyasha Harper-Michon emphasizes the significant impact of the built environment on everyone’s lives, stating that our surroundings can make us feel safe, happy, or otherwise, underscoring the pervasive influence of architectural and urban design.
Harper-Michon critiques the traditional use of “Reference Man” in design—an archetype representing a 6-foot tall, white, cisgender, heterosexual, able-bodied, upper-middle-class man—which she argues excludes a wide range of other identities, including women, children, elderly, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities.
By advocating for a shift in focus from this narrow standard to more inclusive design practices, she suggests designing for “non-reference man” identities, which can lead to spaces that accommodate and are more inclusive of diverse needs and experiences.
Harper-Michon highlights efforts like shared streets and reduced urban car usage not only for environmental benefits but also for their social advantages, supporting a broader, more inclusive consideration of diverse community needs in urban planning.”
Harper-Michon critiques the traditional use of “Reference Man” in design—an archetype representing a 6-foot tall, white, cisgender, heterosexual, able-bodied, upper-middle-class man—which she argues excludes a wide range of other identities, including women, children, elderly, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities.
About UN-Habitat
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly with advancing socially and environmentally sustainable urban development. It serves as the central coordinating agency for urbanization and human settlement issues within the UN system.
In collaboration with partners, UN-Habitat strives to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. It views urbanization as a powerful force for positive change, aiming to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty.
UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries to promote transformative change in cities and human settlements through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance and collaborative action.