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?

Adam Badger answered on 5 Feb 2026:

This is a FANTASTIC question! And one that Geographers – along with lots of other folks like planners as you note – are really well placed to think about and try to answer. I think planning decisions have a huge impact on this and should be taken seriously. It’s without doubt that the built environment can exacerbate as well as alleviate social inequalities, and that often those people that are most marginalised by urban space (and contemporary society) are also most marginalised form the meeting rooms where planning decisions are debated, finalised and made.

So part of the answer is to say that part of this happens before ground is ever broken or bricks are laid – that the decision making itself is often exclusionary in nature and reflects broader ways our society works. So part of the way planners, geographers, property developers and others can make sure developments alleviate social inequality is to invite broad ranges of diverse folks into the room from the beginning. Give people a platform and a voice to best represent themselves and their communities.

Hopefully this perspective adds to Kevin’s super answer below by zooming the timeline out a bit further to give something different here.