Designing inclusive public spaces: addressing agoraphobia and safety-seeking behaviour through urban design

Palaneer, Lavanya and Sharmin, Tania ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6229-2035 2025. Designing inclusive public spaces: addressing agoraphobia and safety-seeking behaviour through urban design. Cities & Health 10.1080/23748834.2025.2553261

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (11MB)

Abstract

This research suggests that thoughtful urban design aligning the spatial environment with a human scale can foster a sense of psychological connection and safety for those experiencing ‘safety-seeking-avoidance-behaviour’, a condition clinically recognised as agoraphobia. It recommends prioritising key spatial themes such as optimising a sense of enclosure, selecting natural and man-made elements, incorporating multiple lines of sight, enhancing activities and seating options, and managing occupancy to promote accessibility and inclusivity. In essence, the paper argues that agoraphobia should be a tangible consideration in urban design to create environments that feel more intimate, accessible, and conducive to human interaction, as opposed to large, impersonal, or overwhelming spaces.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Architecture
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/, Start Date: 2025-09-16
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	2374-8834
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 October 2025
Date of Acceptance:	24 August 2025
Last Modified:	03 Oct 2025 08:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/181464

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item