VIRTUAL Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

This paper reports findings from an exploratory online survey about neurodivergent experiences of the city of Sydney. The survey was informed by themes from a prior phase of in-depth walking tour interviews with neurodivergent adults, which identified the environmental qualities shaping neurodivergent experiences of public open spaces (Aminpour et al. 2026). Respondents to the survey (n=50) evaluated public spaces using 360-degree Google Maps imagery and rated their comfort across a range of environmental factors. Given the exploratory sample, the survey findings are interpreted as indicative patterns rather than statistically generalisable differences between groups. Defying deficit-based assumptions, neurodivergent respondents were found to be frequent users of public open space. Comfort ratings were largely consistent across respondent groups, particularly for natural elements, shade, seating and transport connectivity. This convergence highlights a possible set of shared environmental priorities that underpin inclusive urban environments. Meaningful differences were more apparent regarding information needs, as neurodivergent respondents placed significantly greater value on pre-visit knowledge of crowd levels and behavioural expectations. Drawing on feedback from a small group of pilot participants (n=6), reflections on the methodological implications of using immersive imagery examine how the presentation of images and the typology of selected spaces may influence participant responses and interpretations. These findings suggest that neuroinclusive design priorities are not just specialised accommodations but foundational qualities of liveable public space, and that designing for neurodiversity can advance wider agendas for healthy, participatory, and resilient cities.