Each student MUST add:

1. The insights/themes that have emerged from your analysis

2. A potential design opportunity

(This is an homework exercise for you to complete BEFORE 31 OCTOBER 2025. We are checking to see everyone participates).

QUESTION: You’re looking to design more accessible and inclusive tourism experiences and strategies for Scotland; but what could this look like? What does ‘inclusive tourism’ mean?

Article 1: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24413018.we-want-disabled-people-discover-scotland/

Article 2: travelandtourworld.com/news/article/scotland-launches-2-million-campaign-to-boost-off-season-tourism-in-shetland-and-beyond/

Article 3: https://www.girlsonhills.com/post/inclusive-tourism

QUESTION: Ensure commercial retail companies offer inclusive options for a variety of customers with different backgrounds; what does inclusivity mean in this context? Why is it important?

Article 1: https://quininedesign.com/perspectives/diversity-and-inclusion-in-retail

Article 2: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/business-reporter/not-on-the-high-street-diversity-small-businesses-shopping-craft-b2595305.html

Article 3: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10717641251327928

QUESTION: You want to challenge fast food chains in Glasgow by combating unhealthy fast food options and bolstering local food businesses; how do we encourage local communities to choose and support local options? How do we empower local food businesses owners?

Article 1: https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/save-our-cafes-london/

Article 2: https://www.whatson.is/coffee-in-iceland-why-there-is-no-starbucks/

Article 3: https://dramscotland.co.uk/2024/10/15/nearly-two-thirds-of-consumers-more-likely-to-choose-scottish-products-when-dining-out/

QUESTION: You’re looking to design policy and mechanisms that help support and amplify freedom of speech; but what determine positive forms of freedom of speech?

Resource 1: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zj73wsg#zdytrmn

Article 1: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/uk-new-government-must-scrap-anti-protest-laws-restore-freedom-expression

Article 2: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/mar/26/university-of-sussex-fined-freedom-of-speech-investigation-kathleen-stock

QUESTION: You’re exploring how globalisation of Glasgow has impacted local identity and heritage; how has globalisation become part of modern Scotland? What are the impacts of globalisation?

Article 1: https://scottishcare.org/its-not-where-youre-from-its-where-youre-at-migration-and-social-care-in-scotland/

Article 2: https://www.gov.scot/publications/migration-meeting-scotlands-needs/pages/6/

Article 3: https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2022/01/09/the-reality-of-being-a-naturalising-immigrant/

QUESTION: You’re looking to design office workspaces that embrace cultural identity; but why is cultural identity important in this context? How could Scotland champion inclusivity within workspaces?

Article 1: https://www.ideou.com/en-gb/blogs/inspiration/belonging-at-work-how-to-foster-inclusion-and-collaboration?srsltid=AfmBOorQL_kScxWdAs9zQUHjVM17xbGfhwFaFQDSOuJWIhHchFdpIfsT

Article 2: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2024/08/30/breaking-down-barriers-personal-stories-of-inclusivity-in-the-workplace/

Article 3: https://www.gov.scot/publications/diversity-inclusion-employer-strategy-scottish-government/pages/3/

QUESTION: You’re looking to design a more accessible, equitable and inclusive public transportation system in Scotland; what do accessible, equitable and inclusive needs look like within public transportation services? How is Scotland championing this?

Article 1: https://bususers.org/uk/new-report-exposes-accessibility-challenges-for-disabled-bus-passengers/

Article 2: https://enginecxdesign.com/perspectives/how-inclusive-design-is-transforming-rail-travel

Resource 1: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/vpgbcv1u/scotlands-accessible-travel-framework-delivery-plan-2024-2026.pdf

QUESTION: You’re looking to design a new forward-looking identity for Glasgow’s built environment and it's evolution of business growth; how has the landscape of Glasgow and Scotland impacted business development? How can businesses thrive within the constantly evolving local economy?

Article 1: https://www.scottishfinancialnews.com/articles/scotland-sees-strong-startup-surge-in-early-2025-with-over-17-growth

Article 2:

https://www.scotsman.com/business/meet-scotlands-most-inspiring-entrepreneurs-as-small-business-saturday-2025-campaign-kicks-off-5296639

Resource 3:

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/media/6940/City-Centre-Strategy-2024-2030/pdf/CCS_2030_consultation_edits_Rev_D.pdf?m=1723037314193

The main insights my group found (Group A), were connectivity, local businesses, and sustainability. Our second list of insights discussed inclusivity, value addition, digital. Article 1 & 2 were published articles, while the final article was a business plan for the future of the city centre of Glasgow. For the purpose of the homework i will discuss the first three insights.

Connectivity

It became clear from our analysis that connectivity played a large role in all three articles. The first two articles discussed how local business and new businesses played a vital role in connecting their communities, while the business plan highlighted that one of its goals was to make the centre a accessible to all. In some ways a ‘walkable city’.

Local Businesses

Local Businesses also came up as a pattern, all articles discussed the importance of them and how as a city/country we should widely support them. Both articles 1 & 2 discussed schemes that were made with the sole purpose of helping local businesses, Smallbiz100 and The Natwest Accelerator Programme. The final article emphasised ‘fostering collaboration between existing and future businesses’ as one of their goals.

Sustainability

Sustainability was a major theme, specifically in article 3, it was evident that the plan was created with sustainability in mind. The plan discussed making glasgow greener, more walkable and net zero. While articles 1 & 2 discussed a more subtle nod to sustainability. It can be argued that emphasising a need for local businesses is an invite to making communities more sustainable.

Potential Design Opportunity

As Glasgow's economy and city centre undergoes a transformation to becoming a greener and more connected city. There is a unique opportunity to strengthen the connection between local businesses, communities and sustainability. However, i believe many small businesses still struggle to stay visible and connected to customers in such a landscape. Therefore, How will glasgow design a system that connects these factors while also making it affordable and supportive for local people?

I believe a ‘Local Access Scheme’ could be interesting, this could include subsidised spaces for local start ups or community businesses in some city centre properties, higher emphasis on green travel incentives that would't inconvenience the locals or local loyalty cards that local residents could use. This acknowledges the issue on affordability and builds on existing city goals, though it would require funding, maybe a partnership with local banks or green levies. To give an example, the city of Ghent uses a scheme called Puur Ghent to do this (VisitGent, 2025). Therefore, if implemented effectively, this initiative has strong potential for adoption.

From the comparison between people with disabilities and those without in "Disability and Transport 2021", it is evident that people with disabilities are significantly lower than those without disabilities in terms of the frequency of transportation use and their sense of security in public transportation. The Scottish government is also actively formulating various measures to shift from eliminating barriers to full inclusion. This is not only achieved through previous infrastructure improvements but also through systems and subtle cultural changes that truly involve people with disabilities in the decision-making of the transportation system. At the same time, words like equality and dignity are frequently seen, indicating that barrier-free travel is regarded as part of social rights and respect for citizenship.

However, most of them focus on common urban public transportation tools. There is no explanation or improvement measures for transportation means like planes and ships in the article.

A potential design opportunity

Apart from the traditional improvement of barrier-free facilities, the current design focus is more on how to ensure the psychological safety of people with disabilities. In my opinion, the barrier-free facilities for the disabled in society have been quite comprehensive. However, the key point of design should be how to truly make people with disabilities feel dignified psychologically. We should focus on how to achieve a situation where people with disabilities no longer feel embarrassed because of their disabilities and are different from ordinary people. Transforming from physical barrier-free to psychological barrier-free. For instance, designing some facilities that enable the disabled to take public transportation normally by themselves, without the need for others' assistance.

——Yuhang Wu

I contend that modern Scottish identity no longer relies solely on traditional history or indigenous culture, but is instead shaped by global mobility, cross-cultural exchange, and new forms of belonging. The three texts we examined offer distinct perspectives yet all provide analysis and insights on migration: including the critical role of immigrant social care; immigrants being seen as a key force in addressing population aging and labor shortages; and the discrimination and identity conflicts faced by new immigrants. Based on these findings, I have identified four key insights. Insight 1 :Immigrants are reshaping community identities, not merely supplementing the workforce.

Insight 2: Globalization is a double-edged sword, bringing both friction and integration.

Insight 3: Local cultural heritage is becoming more inclusive. “You are welcome here” embodies the fluidity of identity.

Insight 4: Immigrants serve as “living cultural bridges” connecting tradition and new cultures.

The design opportunity I identified is to create a “participatory interactive platform” where immigrants and local residents can visually communicate how globalization is reshaping Glasgow's sense of belonging and its role as a “living cultural heritage bridge.”

In the early stages of research, I focused more on globalization's economic impacts.

But through deeper analysis, I recognized that social and emotional impacts are equally significant—

particularly how immigrants transform “cultural heritage” from a static concept into an ongoing, open, and inclusive process.

Today's cultural heritage is not a monument, but a “living heritage” shaped collectively by the diverse people who live, work, and care for Glasgow.

Ludi(Lesliy) Wang

1：Immigrants are reshaping community identities, not merely supplementing the workforce.

2：Globalisation brings both friction and integration.

3：Local cultural heritage is becoming more inclusive, living, challenging and providing opportunities.

4：Immigrants serve as “living cultural bridges” connecting tradition and new cultures.

5：Belonging and difference coexist.

Overall, positive immigration has brought many positive impacts to Scotland. However, due to cultural differences and upbringing, these immigrants experience some minor frictions with local residents. Therefore, our group focuses on researching how to reduce these frictions and create a better living environment.

Design Opportunities

The negative impact of immigration primarily stems from cultural conflicts. For example, locals and immigrants lack understanding of each other's culture and needs, resulting in in-depth communication and empathy for each other's communities, which can lead to conflicts. We believe there is an opportunity in establishing platforms to promote different cultures, allowing people from different places to exchange and learn about each other's cultures. Online platforms could include "cultural maps," while offline platforms could host various cultural showcases and events. This would not only help immigrants identify their own culture, but also help everyone understand the cultures around them.

Zhenyi Wang

In our group discussion, I think this article shows how protests — one of the most active forms of free speech — are being limited by both policy and public discourse. Freedom of speech is not only a legal right, but also about whether people can truly and safely express their own views.

Insights：

1. The legal framework directly affects whether protest is seen as a normal exercise of citizens’ rights or as an illegal act. When the government expands police powers to restrict demonstrations, even peaceful and harmless expression can be suppressed.

2. Protesters are often described as “troublemakers” or “threats,” which reduces society’s tolerance toward different opinions and shows how language shapes public perception.

3. Surveillance and stop-and-search powers are unfairly used against marginalised groups, which means not everyone can enjoy “freedom” equally.

4. When the right to protest is weakened, constructive and positive expressions are often silenced or denied, and society gradually loses an open and transparent space for dialogue.

Design Opportunity：

I believe there is a promising direction to design a “Protest Rights and Public Awareness Platform.” It could help citizens, activists, and policymakers better understand the importance of protest and protect it as a key form of free speech. The platform could show interactive maps of protest-related laws and policing data, and serve as a community tool to assess the local “protest climate.” It could also allow people from different backgrounds to work together to create peaceful and inclusive protest ideas.

Through this kind of design, we can reshape how society understands protest — it should not be seen as a “disruption,” but as a constructive and positive expression of freedom in a democratic society.

Building upon this foundation, we identified insights through thematic aggregation and discussion, subsequently proposing design opportunities.

1. Financial

Keywords included funding, investment, international markets, media support, and sustainable finance. Analysis revealed that tourism development heavily depends on capital accessibility. Limited funding channels often hinder innovation and inclusive growth. Establishing community tourism funds or inclusive tourism subsidy mechanisms could empower local businesses, fostering economic equity and sustainability.

2. Environmental

Keywords encompass natural beauty, warm hospitality, and cultural heritage.

This underscores Scotland's natural and cultural assets as key tourism draws. However, such resource advantages require safeguarding through sustainable strategies. Tourism development should not only serve visitors but also benefit local communities and protect the environment.

3. Inclusive Access

Keywords include wheelchair access, disabled facilities, hearing loss, vision impairment, and safe space. These terms reveal the practical challenges faced by individuals with physical disabilities during travel. Concurrently, terms like guide website and accessibility guide highlight the equal importance of digital accessibility.

4. Vulnerable Groups

Keywords include low income, gender gap, sexual or gender minorities, and unequal family burdens. These groups are often indirectly excluded from tourism experiences due to economic pressures, social prejudice, or underrepresentation. Inclusive tourism design must prioritise social diversity and equity, ensuring vulnerable groups are equally visible, represented, and welcomed.

5. Emotional / Challenges

Within the "Challenges" and "Emotional" sections, keywords include uncertainty, safety concerns, cultural barriers, parking difficulties, and narrow paths. These reflect psychological dimensions of visitor experiences. Quality tourism hinges not only on physical facilities but equally on emotional security and psychological comfort. Inclusive design should prioritise visitors' emotional needs, fostering a warm and secure travel environment.

Based on these insights, I propose a promising design direction: the "Community-led Inclusive Tourism Platform". This platform, accessible via mobile app or website, would incorporate Accessibility Mapping, Community Storytelling, Financial Inclusivity, and a Sustainability Tracker. Its aim is to achieve community empowerment alongside sustainability and inclusivity.

What stood out to me was that accessibility is not just about fixing physical infrastructure — it’s also about communication, staff attitude, and involving different groups in decision-making. I realised that many barriers people face are social and systemic, not just physical. For example, even though Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework provides a strong policy direction, the way it’s applied locally is still inconsistent, and public awareness remains quite limited.

My insight:

True accessibility requires ongoing communication and collaboration with users, not only infrastructure improvements.

My design opportunity:

There is an opportunity to design a community-led feedback platform where disabled passengers can easily report issues and share their experiences, helping transport providers respond faster and improve inclusivity.

Insight 1: Heritage becomes inclusive and living.

Cultural heritage is no longer something static or limited to the “indigenous” population. It is constantly redefined through interaction and participation.

Insight 2: Globalisation brings both friction and fusion.

The blending of global and local cultures leads to creative integration, but also causes tension and misunderstanding between groups.

Insight 3: Belonging and difference coexist.

People can maintain their distinct cultural identities while developing a shared sense of belonging in a diverse community.

Insight 4: Migration reshapes community identity.

Immigration continuously influences and reshapes what community means, introducing new values, stories, and perspectives.

Insight 5: Local identity becomes fluid and inclusive.

The idea of “local” now extends beyond those born in a place—it welcomes newcomers and values cultural contribution over origin.

Design Opportunities

Although immigration and globalisation have brought many benefits, challenges such as cultural misunderstandings and communication gaps remain. These issues often arise because people lack knowledge and empathy for each other’s cultural backgrounds.

Therefore, our design opportunities aim to create platforms that encourage cultural connection and understanding. For instance:

1. Storytelling platforms or exhibitions that allow people to share personal migration experiences.

2. Cultural exchange events where communities can celebrate traditions together.

3. Visual heritage mapping projects that document and connect diverse cultural influences within the city.

These initiatives would help reduce cultural friction, foster empathy, and build a stronger sense of shared belonging across different communities.

Design opportunities: Equip each station with accessible elevators, install handrails for the disabled on steep slopes, etc. Develop a clearer and more accessible transportation information system, with multilingual assistance technology support. Strengthen staff training, enhance BSL training, etc.

During the process of reading the articles, our insights are analyzed from the perspectives of law, media, and the public. We believe that the right to freedom of speech should be returned to the people rather than being weakened by law. From the perspective of law-making, we conclude that formulating clearer legal boundaries is actually a better protection for human rights, thereby minimizing the occurrence of the "chilling effect". From the perspective of the media, consideration should be given to diversified public funding and protection, as well as reforms in network neutrality and platform responsibilities. From the perspective of education and culture, more emphasis should be placed on the cultivation of civic education and media literacy.

Therefore, from these analyses, it can be concluded that positive freedom of speech not only needs to be prevented from being suppressed, but also needs to create "conditions for the ability to speak out". Hence, it is necessary to integrate institutional arrangements, cultural cultivation, and legal safeguards.

We have identified four main insights:

1. Physical Accessibility

True "accessibility" is not merely about building barrier-free passages or wide walkways; it is about enabling everyone to participate equally and naturally in the space.

2. Product & Service Diversity

Our analysis proposed ideas such as "setting up men's fitting rooms", "hiring employees of different age groups", and "designing a unified solution for all differences", which indicates that inclusiveness is not only reflected in the variety of products but also in service design and humanized interaction.

3. Cultural Sensitivity

Many customers are excluded not due to physical barriers but because of cultural insensitivity and lack of representation. Cultural misunderstandings can undermine customers' psychological sense of security. Retail brands should reflect the diversity of local and global cultures in their visual presentation, communication, and product narratives.

4. Brand Image

Our notes mentioned "embed inclusiveness in all touchpoints" and "shaping the brand as an inclusive movement rather than a single symbol". This suggests that if a brand can interpret inclusiveness through actions in visual identity, employee training, and community interaction, it can achieve deeper emotional resonance and loyalty from customers.

A potential design opportunity：

Based on our discussion and research, I think we can design an intelligent display system that automatically adjusts the display height, language and color contrast according to the customer's height and visual needs, taking into account both aesthetics and accessibility. For example, the shelves can automatically rise or fall by sensing the customer's height or distance, making it convenient for people of different heights and those with mobility issues to reach for items. For customers with low vision, the screens and price tags can automatically enhance the contrast or enlarge the font.

Insight

I found that many governments and companies have diversity policies, but these policies often only exist to show they care about diversity. They do not really include people emotionally. Some people still use stereotypes to judge disabled people or people of color. This shows that discrimination still happens even in workplaces that look inclusive.

Design Opportunity

There is an opportunity to design a team game that helps disabled people and other employees play and learn together. In the game, they can share stories and show their skills. This can help others see that disabled people and people of color have the same abilities as everyone else. It can also reduce shame and help employees understand the real meaning of diversity on an emotional level.

INSIGHT: Disabled people in Scotland still face significant barriers on public transport – from silent electric vehicles that endanger visually impaired pedestrians to poorly designed “floating” bus stops that create hazards. An important insight is that these accessibility issues persist when disabled users’ perspectives are not integrated from the outset. Co-designing transport solutions with disabled people from the beginning is crucial to uncover such problems early and ensure truly inclusive, equitable travel experiences.

DESIGN OPPORTUNITY: Co-design a safer bus stop and cycle lane interface with disabled users to eliminate conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists. For example, redesigning the “floating” bus stop layout or adding features like controlled crossings would allow visually impaired and mobility-impaired passengers to reach buses safely without impeding cyclists, creating a more inclusive streetscape for all.

Accessibility for All: A significant theme is the need to improve accessibility for disabled individuals and those with specific access requirements in Scotland's tourism sector. This includes addressing challenges like stairs, lack of elevators, parking difficulties, and uneven paths.

Inclusivity Beyond Disability: Inclusive tourism extends to various groups, including those with hearing loss, mental or visual impairments, wheelchair users, senior travelers, and families with young children.

Gender Equality in Outdoor Activities: Addressing the gender gap in mountain sports and empowering women to participate in outdoor tourism is crucial. Initiatives like Girls on Hills are vital in creating safe spaces and providing skills events for women facing additional barriers.

Off-Season Tourism: Scotland is actively promoting off-season travel to distribute visitor numbers more evenly throughout the year, supporting local businesses and preserving cultural heritage.

Wellness and Sustainable Travel: Tourists are increasingly seeking wellness-focused trips. Scotland aims to capitalize on this by promoting its natural landscapes and tranquil surroundings for physical and mental rejuvenation, emphasizing sustainable accommodations and practices.

Economic Benefits of Tourism: Tourism is a cornerstone of Scotland's economy, providing stability and resilience, especially in rural and island communities like Shetland.

Opportunity:

Description: Develop a comprehensive digital platform that integrates accessibility information, inclusive tourism initiatives, and sustainable travel options across Scotland.

Accessibility Guide: Detailed, reliable accessibility guides for venues, accommodations, and attractions, similar to AccessAble.

Inclusive Tour Packages: Curated tour packages designed for diverse groups, including options for disabled travelers, women in outdoor sports, and families with young children.

Sustainable Travel Planner: A tool that helps tourists plan eco-friendly trips, including public transport options, local accommodations, and activities that support local economies.

Community Forum: A platform for travelers to share experiences, provide feedback, and connect with inclusive tourism initiatives.

Our research focus on food. The main issues we aim to address are how to enhance the competitiveness of local individuals businesses and how to encourage the community to choose and support local options.

The three articles given have deeply impressed me. How small cafes in the UK are disappearing due to high rents, rising energy costs, and competition from corporate chains. In the Iceland article, I was amazed that in a country where the climate makes it impossible to grow coffee, independent and diverse cafes are thriving. In the Scotland articles shows that two-thirds of Scottish consumers prefer local products when dining out, this shows the strong sense of identity and recognition that Scottish people have toward local food.

Applying these insight to Glasgow, I realized that the challenges is a lack of visibility and accessibility. Fast-food chains dominate because they are familiar and convenient, while local businesses often remain fragmented and unseen. If we can make Glasgow's local food ecosystem more connected, visible, and emotionally engaging, we can shift consumer habits toward local choices. Like Iceland, when people feel cultural townships and pride, they willingly choose local, even when it's not the easiest option.

Opportunity

we can design a "Glasgow Local Food Identity System" that connects, promotes, and celebrates local food businesses through storytelling, visibility, and community participation.

Include

• A digital and physical map highlighting independent cafes and restaurants across Glasgow.

• A shared label or logo, built trust and collective identity

• A platform where local business owners share their stories, similar to Iceland cafes that express culture through individuality

  
  

  This design opportunity aims to not just to promote healthy eating but to emotional and cultural attachment between people and local food, making people feel genuinely emotional and understanding the stories behind the food.

Product & Service Diversity = Feeling Represented in the Offer, Not Just Having “More SKUs.” We did things like:

men’s changing rooms,

staff from various age groups,

services that cater to diverse body types and diverse needs.

All of that highlights to me the same tension: a lot of retail is still built around one “default customer.” And inclusiveness here means designing the offer (products, dressing rooms, return policy, staff interaction) so that no group feels like an outlier or an afterthought. It’s not just “do we stock different products,” but “would the entire service experience hold different kinds of customers in the same category?”

Cultural Sensitivity = Emotional Safety. There’s also a sort of exclusion that isn’t on the floor plan. It occurs when the brand language, visual clues and staff's behaviour quietly signals “people like you aren’t really expected here.” If a shop ignores this, ignoring cultural differences (through imagery that rely on stereotypes or showing only one kind of lifestyle, for example) consumers can be unsafe, disrespected or don’t feel like they’ll be recognized. In other words: cultural insensitivity is an obstacle — a psychological obstacle, literally as palpable as a step at the entrance.

→ Inclusiveness = the ability to be culturally literate and reflective of multiple identities in communication, signage, and storytelling, not just avoiding offence, but to recognize people in general and culture-based matters.

Brand Positioning: Inclusion Must Be Embedded, Not Performed. From the notes on “embedding inclusion in all touchpoints” and “make it part of the brand movement,” I believe this is more a credibility issue. If inclusiveness appears only on a Pride poster or in one annual campaign, customers hear it for just that — marketing. But when inclusiveness shows up in hiring, training, store layout, community partnerships, return policies, community-oriented branding efforts — etc — then it is a central brand promise. A brand that treats inclusiveness as daily practice instead of a decorative item can build its trust in the long run.

Design Direction / Opportunity. One design direction that interests me is adaptive retail infrastructure. Instead of building the ‘universal, one-size-fits-all’ shelf or sign, let’s develop a system that gently personalises the space in real time. For example:

shelving or display elements which can move to a reachable height when someone comes near (great for wheelchairs / kids or anyone who can’t lift or stretch safely),

dynamic price tags / digital signage with automatic scaling or contrast scaling for low-vision clientele,

switching of language in signage or even assistant screens which can be detected to respond to preference or manual interaction.

Why this matters: It accommodates different physical and sensory needs without dividing people into “normal users” and “special users.” That supports dignity and practicality — and I believe that is the true crux of retail inclusiveness.

1. Community ownership makes tourism more sustainable.

2. Inclusion brings both social and economic value.

3. Empowering women and elders helps preserve local culture.

4. Accessibility needs to be part of design from the start, not an afterthought.

5. Small-scale tourism can create big long-term impacts.

6. Shared profit and transparent management build trust within the community.

Together, these ideas show that inclusive tourism isn’t only about travel—it’s about connection, fairness, and cultural exchange.

2. Potential Design Opportunity:
How might we design a community-led micro tourism system that allows women, elders, and people with disabilities to co-create local experiences—like craft workshops, storytelling sessions, or guided walks—and manage them easily through a shared digital platform?

This could make tourism more inclusive while keeping money and culture within the community.

Scottish attractions not only lack physical accessibility features such as accessible lifts, making travel difficult, but visitors with visual or hearing impairments also struggle to engage deeply with sites, unable to appreciate cultural features as fully as able-bodied tourists.

Off-season tourism marketing shouldshould target diverse groups

Government investment of £2 million promotes off-peak tourism, yet focuses solely on primary markets like the US and Europe. Marketing should equally target diverse markets.

Subtle cultural barriers require attention

Including inequalities in employment/pay, childcare/time availability/physical capacity/LGBTQ+ issues, alongside safety concerns. Providing skills training, psychological support, and financial backing is crucial.

Local marginalised groups can contribute to community benefit

Scotland's disabled residents, ethnic minorities and other marginalised communities possess rich local cultural and natural knowledge – such as Highland walking routes and traditional crafts – yet lack channels to monetise these skills. Tourism service training could be developed for them, for instance as guides, or platforms provided for participation in experience design like developing community cultural events.

Design Opportunity

The first article primarily addresses persons with disabilities, the second focuses on off-season tourism and financial support, while the third concerns women and other vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities. These three articles target distinct objectives. While persons with disabilities are mentioned in the context of women's barriers, there is no cross-referencing between the other aspects. Consequently, although VisitScotland has initiated preliminary measures on these issues, current solutions remain fragmented, lacking integration across different challenges. The articles explicitly state that ‘inclusive tourism aims to remove barriers to access and provide equal opportunities for all,’ hence my theme is an integrated tourism system. All three articles mention digital experience measures, prompting me to identify a design opportunity: creating a collaborative digital platform catering to all groups. This platform would offer personalised, cross-regional, and cross-seasonal accessible itinerary planning tools for visitors. It would integrate authentic accessibility data and user reviews for attractions, transport, and accommodation, while supporting multilingual capabilities, safety tips for women, outdoor workshops, and off-season activity promotion.

Reflections on group activities:

The six themes generated by the group were environment, challenges, emotions, finance, inclusive tools, and vulnerable groups. Personally, I do not endorse the theme of vulnerable groups, as inclusivity should encompass all groups rather than focus solely on the disadvantaged. The environment is also not a particularly crucial point. The design opportunity we collectively identified is the circular economy: using economic incentives to encourage locals to join the tourism sector. Revenue generated through guiding or hosting local activities would then be reinvested to support local tourism. Personally, I find this concept overly idealistic and limited, as it overlooks external visitors and fails to consider that local residents may prefer leisure activities over hosting such profit-driven events.

MY INSIGHTS

First, local food businesses are not just commercial spaces—they are social pillars that protect community identity, offer genuine human connections, and reflect the unique character of a city. When our streets are filled only with global chains, the community risks losing its sense of individuality and belonging.
From what I understood, building emotional connections and communicating local values through storytelling and culture is crucial.

Also, support from policy and governance is essential. We need fairer procurement systems and transparent regulations to reduce unnecessary costs for small local businesses.

Finally, multi-scene collaboration can amplify local brands’ influence—by working together, communities can create a richer, more diverse local ecosystem.

POTENTIAL DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES

- create a digital local food map that rewards people for exploring nearby food stores

- design cultural symbols or storytelling visuals that build trust in local products and strengthen community identity

- co-develop healthy fast-food menus, shared community kitchens, or pop-up food events in partnership with local businesses

Insights：

Local businesses are the "multi-functional core" of the built environment. They’re not just for making money—they also support sustainability, inclusivity, and community value, acting as a key link between different topics.

Small businesses’ flexibility fills gaps left by big plans. The "human touch" and tailored services in the built environment mostly come from small businesses—they can quickly meet unmet community needs, much closer to daily life than large projects.

Design Opportunities：

A one-stop support platform for small businesses: Combine eco-friendly operation guides, inclusivity service templates, and simple digital promotion tools to help small businesses meet multiple needs at low cost.

Linked spaces for small businesses in communities: Design themed markets or shared areas in community plans to connect small businesses of different types, boosting community vitality and making sustainability/inclusivity more tangible.

We found Large retailers suffer from "Retail Homogenization." Many customers crave a deeper "Emotional Connection" with products, rather than feeling "trapped" by this homogeneity.

As shown in the articles our group analysed last week, consumers increasingly equate inclusivity in the retail industry with the uniqueness of the products offered and support for small businesses.

Consumers are looking for more than just a commodity; they are seeking an action that reflects their own values.

Hand-made and high-quality crafts are a key representation of this.

Potential Opportunity

Targeting consumers who seek uniqueness and emotional connection, we have an opportunity to create a physically curated platform within a large retail space—similar to "Not On The High Street"—to showcase products from local "Small Businesses" and individual artisans.

This would not only provide the "unusual products" consumers desire but would also redefine the retailer's brand image by linking it to inclusivity and diversity.

During the process of mapping and analyzing key insights from the three articles, I realized how much effort retail businesses are putting into becoming more inclusive. I also became aware of the challenges they face and how inclusivity has now become an important global trend that businesses are expected to follow. A strong theme that emerged for me was how to improve business by implementing inclusivity in the future.

I also gained insight into how UK businesses are already implementing inclusivity strategies in their store operations. What truly amazed me was learning that some stores in the UK are already considering the needs of neurodivergent individuals. For example, by introducing quiet shopping hours. I had never realized how impactful such a strategy could be for people who are sensitive to noise and crowds. It made me reflect on how creative businesses can be in incorporating inclusivity into their business strategies.

Potential design opportunity

Based on the insights above, I believe there are several ways for businesses to enhance and implement their inclusivity efforts. Here are some potential design opportunities that could be explored:

• Creating neurodiversity friendly fitting rooms, with adjustable lighting and calming music to reduce sensory overload.

• Incorporating AR/VR try-on features in online shopping platforms makes it easier for people with disabilities or limited mobility to shop from home.

• Installing private assistance call buttons in stores, allowing customers to discreetly request help when needed.

• Promoting quiet shopping hours more effectively, as many people may not be aware of these inclusive initiatives.

Last week, we read three articles that respectively explored the sustainable development of local business and the built environment, and discussed and classified the similarities among them. The first two articles emphasized the indispensable role that local businesses play in cities. They not only drive their own economic growth but also strengthen residents' sense of local identity, promote community cohesion, and form a sense of community connection. Whether it is residents, institutions, or the government, they tend to provide more support for local businesses. The last article focused on the sustainable development of cities and explored how to achieve longer-term social benefits through spatial utilization and design.

Potential opportunities:

Since local enterprises can enhance residents' sense of local identity, residents are more inclined to support stores that use local materials and convey local culture. Meanwhile, there are still a large number of underutilized building spaces in the city. If appropriate support can be provided to small and medium-sized enterprises, these spaces have the potential to be transformed into sustainable community shared spaces. Through financial subsidies and expert guidance, not only can the cost pressure on local enterprises during the renovation process be alleviated, but also residents' understanding and support for sustainable development concepts can be further enhanced.

Therefore, I can see a significant opportunity for design. The range of opportunities spans from creating a methodology to designing an object that allows workers to express themselves and contribute to the development of the workspace. Nowadays, the Scottish government implement this strategy by doing interviews and study groups where they can obtain data and measure their improvement.

But what could happen if we use emotional design to obtain new insights from the employees? Can you imagine an exhibition full of objects that can represent how the employees feel in the workspace based in the inclusion factor? Do you think we are going to have the same results as the data already collected from the government? I can imagine a little workshop to develop this kind of practical research and to design an emotional design product that could help to evaluate and express how they actually feel. After that, I would love to see and compare results and if there are really good insights present the exhibition in other places around the world to show companies and government that inclusion works and it’s a human factor we must apply.

1. Strong dimensional coordination: It covers five key areas: economy, ecology, society, space and technology. It closely links the economic goals of "local business" and "value addition", the public values of "sustainability" and "inclusiveness", and the technical support of "digital innovation", which fits perfectly with the core planning concept of "multi-objective balance" for modern cities.

2. Clear local features: It gets rid of the fixed patterns of common urban plans, and focuses on Glasgow's unique characteristics like "small and medium enterprise clusters", "industrial cultural heritage" and "slow traffic system (walk, wheel, cycle)". This keeps the keyword classification rooted in the city's local context and avoids being too vague.

From our notes, I learned that design can support inclusion through small but meaningful actions, like flexible layouts, accessible facilities, and shared spaces that encourage connection. We also talked about the importance of co-designing with employees, because they understand daily needs better than anyone else.

One key insight was that belonging starts with feeling safe and respected. I think future opportunities could look at how digital tools or office spaces can support diversity and make everyone feel welcome at work.

This makes me think there’s a lot we could do with design. Like, what if we create something that lets employees express how they feel at work? Or a small workshop or team game where people, including those with disabilities or from diverse backgrounds, can share their stories and skills. It could help everyone understand inclusion on a real, emotional level, not just on paper.

I’d love to see the results displayed somewhere, like an exhibition, to show that inclusion actually works and is something all workplaces should care about.

From my perspective, using our right to speak what we feel is right is a real action to expose injustice and drive change. This is usually something we are 'forced' to do because people in power are not doing anything about cases they should be handling. In our group discussion, we also realized the difficulties and consequences that occur when speaking up, such as being labelled as opposing authority and creating a chilling effect.

Our group tried to divide the solution into three categories: actions that can be taken by law makers, the media, and even the general public. Each of these entities plays a very important role. Law makers have a legal role in a country, and they can certainly create detailed regulations to govern how citizens can express their opinions properly, not forgetting the consequences if a party prohibits such expression from occurring. In this digital era, everything will certainly be easier if the media participates in spreading awareness of what the law makers have attempted. This is where the general public also plays a role in educating one another, because policies that have been painstakingly pursued and the extensive media campaign will not be effective if individuals themselves do not want to care about this issue.

This significant role of the media made me think of creating a simple platform where the government can openly receive suggestions from the general public. This can be a real application of how the government can listen to the aspirations of its citizens and how they will later realize the wishes of those citizens.

Insights:

1. Immigrants are reshaping community identities, not merely supplementing the workforce

2. Globalization brings both friction and integration

3. Local cultural heritage is becoming more inclusive, living, and providing opportunities

4. Immigrants serve as "living cultural bridges" connecting tradition and new cultures.

Design Opportunities:

Conflicts between individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds primarily stem from linguistic differences, divergent lifestyles, and varying beliefs. The design objective lies in establishing bridges between locals and new immigrants.

Apps or websites with low educational and usage costs could serve as suitable mediums, gently connecting newly arrived New Glasgowians with the local community. A travel application tailored for navigating the city could be designed using a framework similar to Pokémon. Recognition of the Pokémon IP represents a shared cultural commonality across diverse backgrounds. Leveraging this shared understanding can facilitate a gentle connection.

The retail sector's implementation of “inclusivity” often remains confined to the level of “physical accessibility”, while commonly overlooking the implicit needs of neurodiverse individuals (such as sensory sensitivities experienced by autistic customers) and non-target demographics (such as male patrons in women's clothing stores). This results in a disconnect between brands' promises of inclusivity and the actual customer experience.

Design Opportunity:

For customers with neurological differences and non-target demographics, develop ‘all-scenario inclusive adaptation solutions’—such as establishing permanent ‘sensory-friendly zones’ in supermarkets (dimming lighting, reducing noise), adding unisex fitting rooms in single-gender clothing stores, and enhancing service adaptability for special groups through staff diversity training. This ensures inclusivity is embedded at every consumer touchpoint.