How does the built environment in rapidly developing cities exacerbate or alleviate social inequality, and what role do

Question: How does the built environment in rapidly developing cities exacerbate or alleviate social inequality, and what role do planners play in either reinforcing these divisions or creating inclusive spaces?
- Keywords:
  city,
  human,
  inequality,
  planning,
  sociology
Asked by toga536onus22 to Spencer C, Paul F, Micaela M, Keith, Franziska P, Alex T, Adam Badger on 29 Jan 2026.
- Keith Thomas answered on 29 Jan 2026:
  
  Challenging question for an early morning and could require more debate my first thoughts are: (this is based on UK planning and development)
  
  1. Planning takes an overview of placemaking – and seeks to ensure new development aligns with each other (quality design) and enhances connectivity between places and within towns and cities.
  
  2. this includes requirements for developer contribution towards place improvement – could be road/cycle/pathways (public realm in town centres) and open space/play areas providing enhanced community space.

Question: How does the built environment in rapidly developing cities exacerbate or alleviate social inequality, and what role do planners play in either reinforcing these divisions or creating inclusive spaces?