UNDERSTANDING THE SPATIAL NEEDS OF TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS

This study investigates the spatial requirements of transgender individuals in urban and sacred contexts, with particular reference to pilgrimage sites in Saundatti. It addresses how entrenched heteronormative planning practices contribute to exclusion from public, residential, and religious spaces. The research adopts a literature-based methodology, integrating geospatial mapping, participatory design principles, and intersectional planning frameworks to analyze spatial barriers and identify opportunities for inclusion. The findings highlight how architectural design can mediate issues of accessibility, safety, and cultural belonging, especially in sacred settings shaped by binary traditions. By reframing transgender spatial needs as both an architectural and cultural concern, the study contributes to architectural scholarship through a conceptual framework that informs inclusive design strategies for urban planning and sacred site development.