College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
City and Regional Planning Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in City and Regional Planning
College - Author 2
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 2
City and Regional Planning Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in City and Regional Planning
Date
3-2026
Primary Advisor
Dave Amos, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, City and Regional Planning Department
Abstract/Summary
Whether formally diagnosed or self-diagnosed, autism spectrum disorder affects children and adults in every corner of the planet. Every city in the world likely has autistic residents who have difficulty living in navigating their city due to their unique sensory, social, and economic needs. Many of these needs affect autistic people’s abilities to comfortably and independently navigate public spaces, attain a reliable method of transportation, and find housing that suits their needs. These issues could all be addressed with city planning and neuro-inclusive public policies, but to date few cities have considered autistic people in their planning. Cities inadvertently exclude autistic people from the public realm, with urban design choices that make navigation more difficult, while other cities have few autistic-friendly spaces or services, making the experience of navigating the public realm actively hostile.
We imagine cities across the world that actively address the needs of autistic people, allowing their autistic residents to live comfortably and independently. This project is aimed at assessing this gap between current practice and the needs of autistic people and aims to identify resources to planning practitioners for how to better support the needs of autistic residents.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/crpsp/302
Included in
Disability Studies Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons