Who Are We Building For? Inclusion and Circularity

29th IAKS Congress 2025

Who are we building for? Inclusion and circularity

Moderator: Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, UK

Community recreation and sports facilities can be so much more than just compliant spaces—they can be catalysts for inclusion, connection, and sustainability. Water experts explore how to go beyond minimum standards and create environments that welcome everyone and encourage daily movement. Experts from Canada will share practical, experience-based strategies for putting equity, dignity, and meaningful access at the heart of design, while examples from Denmark will showcase circular approaches that transform underutilized spaces through reused materials, adaptive reuse, and community ownership. Together, they demonstrate how thoughtful, people-centered design can break down barriers, reduce carbon footprints, and create vibrant places where communities truly thrive.