Universal Design Futures: Theoretical Insights and Paradigms from a Majority World

This paper intends to position the key theoretical understanding of universal design from a global lens to the contemporary times, especially with insights from India as a majority world perspective. Using a narrative-based approach, it combines theoretical insights with experiential insights through state-of-the-art literature and understanding. A seven-lens framework is proposed as a comprehensive approach towards UD viz. the human diversity and demographic lens, the socio-cultural lens, the environment and ecology lens, the economic lens, the technology lens, the policy lens and the philosophy lens. Each lens shares unique perspectives with Universal Design as a shared concept for application evolving a discourse for a human-centric and sustainable futures. It highlights various paradigms originating from the Indian context representing high population perspectives especially the context of economic inclusion through universal design with affordability as a key value. The discussion leads us into understanding contextual relevance of UD beyond its original intent of universal accessibility itself. It concludes to see and propose UD as an integral layer of sustainability with a common goal of sustenance and inclusion.