People for Urban Progress (PUP) envisions a just, equitable, inclusive, empathetic, resilient city that honors the dignity of its residents through the thoughtful and responsible design of our urban environment. In order for this to happen we need to create spaces and places that are inspired by people and not merely accommodating them.

When we include inclusive design practices, we create a space for innovation. We open ourselves up to creating spaces and places that consider the emotional and psychological impact design can have on the people who inhabit those spaces. We can use design practices that not only reduce barriers, but also invite participation.

Cities and people change and evolve. Many of those changes take decades (here’s looking at you Central State Campus), some seem to happen out of nowhere. The time is now to bring real, honest and inspiring conversations about inclusive design to our city.

Next Thursday, we’re kicking off DAYLIGHT Season 2 - Inclusive Design, presented by Ambrose Property Group and Central Indiana Community Foundation. We’re not the experts here, but we know some people who are. We’re bringing some rock star national and local voices together to curate authentic conversations surrounding inclusion, equity, dignity and justice to define thoughtful and responsible design for our city. Join us, this is going to be good and we’re just getting started!

PUP is partnering with Exhibit Columbus for this season and AIA Indianapolis to bring you this first episode. I’m beyond excited that we’re bringing together Jha D Williams and Danicia Malone to kick off the season. They will both share their experiences utilizing inclusive design practices and then take a deep dive into how inclusive design can be utilized to create inspiring spaces and places.

This is big, aspirational, relevant and important. Are we as a collective creating the spaces and places we want to represent all of Indy and all of what could be our city? PUP’s place in this city is to be the convener of conversations about how our places and spaces represent us, all of us.

See you next week!

- Andrea