Towards Neuroqueer Spatial Justice: A Critical Literature Review of Public Space Technologies for Neurodivergent Populations

Research Background and Issues

• What problems or challenges did the authors identify?
  The vast majority of public spaces are highly unfriendly to neurodivergent individuals (e.g., those with autism, ADHD, etc.). Unpredictable environments and excessive sensory stimuli often lead this population to avoid using public spaces, thereby impacting social participation and inclusivity.

• Why is this issue important?
  Public spaces are crucial venues for social cohesion, cultural exchange, and democratic participation. However, due to designs that fail to consider the needs of neurodivergent individuals, this group is excluded from social activities, representing a form of spatial social injustice.

• Research motivation and related work
  While smart city technologies have begun transforming public spaces, research on spatial technologies for neurodivergent individuals lacks a systematic framework. The authors aim to propose a guiding framework by integrating theories of Spatial Justice and Neuroqueer Technoscience to advance research in this area.

Solution

• What methods or solutions did the authors propose?
  The authors proposed an analytical framework called the "Neuroqueer Spatial Justice Framework" to evaluate and develop public space technologies that support neurodivergent individuals.

• What is innovative about this solution?
  By integrating principles of Spatial Justice (e.g., spatial rights and community participation) with concepts from Neuroqueer Technoscience (e.g., rejecting therapeutic violence, emphasizing co-creation and technological reliance), the framework redefines standards for assessing fairness and inclusivity in public spaces.

• What are the implementation steps and key technologies used?

  • The authors designed four thematic categories within the framework: Spatial Claims, Spatial Power, Spatial Links, and Spatial Counter-Moves.
  • Specific considerations include sensory needs, community support, safety, interaction methods, community space design, long-term maintenance, and sustainability.
  • A systematic literature review was conducted to screen relevant studies in the field, assess the alignment of current technologies with the framework, and identify gaps.

Research Outcomes

• What specific outcomes were achieved?

  • Developed a comprehensive theoretical framework to guide technology development and evaluation.
  • Analyzed 16 studies (covering 11 technologies) and found that most existing technologies are mobile applications focused on navigation or personal support, failing to systematically improve public space design.

• What advantages does it offer compared to existing solutions?

  • The framework introduces new research directions, such as embedded technologies, community-driven approaches, and celebrating diversity, surpassing the current focus on practical tasks like navigation.
  • Emphasizes that technology should not only help neurodivergent individuals adapt to environments but also transform environments to accommodate them.

• What were the experimental or evaluation results?

  • Existing technologies perform poorly in areas such as comfort, safety, and connection with broader communities.
  • Most studies lack sufficient collaboration with neurodivergent groups and fail to establish long-term maintenance and evaluation mechanisms.

• Limitations and future directions
  Limitations:

  • The current framework has not undergone field validation.
  • The literature dataset is relatively small and primarily focused on smartphone technologies, with limited domain coverage.
    Future directions:
  • Design technologies embedded within spaces rather than relying on mobile devices.
  • Develop community-driven technologies involving neurodivergent individuals, supporting long-term sustainability and policy impact.
  • Focus on creating "Joyful Technologies" for neurodivergent individuals, celebrating their uniqueness.

Conclusion

By proposing the "Neuroqueer Spatial Justice" framework, the authors introduce a new perspective to public space technology design. This research not only highlights the limitations of existing solutions but also provides clear guidance for future technology design: embracing equity, sustainability, and celebrating diversity. This work is significant not only for neurodivergent communities but also calls on designers and technology developers to address user needs traditionally overlooked in design practices.