This report presents finding from the first stage of the multi year, Planning Inclusive Communities Research Project. The research involved 97 participants aged 9 to 92 years of age, from Clarence and greater Hobart in Tasmania and Gympie Region and surrounds in Queensland Australia, who shared their thoughts, experiences, and ideas of what makes communities inclusive and their current experiences of living in their communities. Importantly, participants identified what change is needed to make our communities and cities more inclusive. 

The report shares key findings:

• The Makings of Inclusive Communities: Overall meaning established and the 5 core elements that make communities inclusive,
• The Tension Points: What’s stopping communities from being inclusive,
• The Change Needed: The key areas where change is needed to make communities more inclusive.

The Planning Inclusive Communities (PIC) project stems from years of research and practice by Dr Lisa Stafford on mobility, participation, and the diverse experience of everyday life in the planned and designed city centres, towns and neighbourhoods of Australia. The PIC project was funded by the Australian Research Council as part of a DECRA Fellowship enabling Dr Lisa Stafford to bring to life the idea of co-creating deeper understanding and transformative practice of planning inclusive sustainable cities and communities with passionate disabled people/people with disabilities, family members, urban planning and community development practitioners, allies, and communities.