Scribd
Upload
32 views24 pages

Lecture 6 - Urban Design Accessibility

The document discusses the importance of accessibility in urban design, highlighting the need for social, physical, and economic inclusion for people with disabilities. It emphasizes that cities should be planned with the diverse needs of all individuals in mind, promoting inclusive public spaces and transportation. Case studies illustrate successful examples of accessible urban environments that cater to various abilities and foster community integration.

Uploaded by

220410446
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
32 views24 pages

Lecture 6 - Urban Design Accessibility

The document discusses the importance of accessibility in urban design, highlighting the need for social, physical, and economic inclusion for people with disabilities. It emphasizes that cities should be planned with the diverse needs of all individuals in mind, promoting inclusive public spaces and transportation. Case studies illustrate successful examples of accessible urban environments that cater to various abilities and foster community integration.

Uploaded by

220410446
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 24

ARCH 344

Theories of Urban Design


Lecture 7: Urban Design Accessibility

Credits: Ms Nafeesa
Content

Social Inclusion

Physical Inclusion

Economic Inclusion
Disability
▪ Persons with disabilities make up nearly 15 percent of
the global population, and in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs), that number is nearly 20 percent.

▪ Yet, our cities rarely address mobility needs across the


full spectrum of people’s abilities.

▪ Most cities are designed from the perspective of people


without disabilities and for the convenience of people in
motor vehicles rather than people walking, cycling, or
using public transportation.

▪ Within this context, it’s clear that cities need to reframe


who they are planning for.
▪ When cities plan access for people with disabilities,
those cities are better for all.
Accessibility - Understanding Disabilities
Most people will experience some form of
disability in their lifetime. People with
disabilities are a diverse group with a wide
variety of experiences who face a multitude of
barriers to equitable participation and inclusion
in societies around the world
Accessibility
There are three types of Accessibility:

● Social accessibility - degree of social safety and acceptance


● Economic accessibility - degree of affordability
● Physical accessibility - the degree to which the physical an environment enables a
person to reach their destination, particularly persons with disabilities or others with
obstacles with their mobility such as older and pregnant people, caregivers, youth, and
children.
Social Accessibility
Accessibility - Social Exclusion
Exclusion of any type disconnects individuals
from social relations and puts a limit on their full
participation in the activities that are assigned by
society according to norms and conventions.

Though there have been improvements in our


country over the last few years, disabled people
and their families confront isolation and
exclusion and remain on the fringes of society.

Multiple barriers hinder their inclusion into


mainstream society. From architectural and
technological to financial, obstacles of all kinds
restrict their integration.
Accessibility - Social Exclusion
The reasons for social exclusion for people with disabilities can be linked to:
• Income and expenditure status
• Education
• Housing
• Health
• Assistive technology
• Transportation
• Lack of access to the labour market and the social environment
• A wide range of public and private services remain out of their reach
Unless there is self-reflection and self-criticism, inclusion cannot be brought in. An inclusive attitude and
behaviour demand us to overthrow prejudices and raze down the barriers.
Accessibility - Social Inclusion
The following is essential for social balance:
● To facilitate accessibility of urban transport for
all groups of the population, including
handicapped, thereby supporting the effective
city operation;
● To provide employment with the diversity of
economic activities, thereby supporting the
viability of the city, and its public spaces
● To provide facilities and services accessible to
all groups of the population in suitable distance
● To eliminate spatial segregation and social
polarisation
● Inclusive Public Spaces: Designing parks,
squares, and community centers that are
accessible to everyone, including people with
disabilities, the elderly, and children.
Physical Accessibility
Accessibility - Physical
Land use planning affects all aspects of daily
living. It determines where goods, services,
education, healthcare, housing, social
activities, areas for leisure, and housing are
available in cities.

The quantity, location, and distance between


these uses all influence how people feel,
operate, and interact in cities.

People with disabilities can face greater


challenges traveling between urban locations,
so reducing the length of trips and improving
the accessibility of the built environment is
essential.
Accessibility - Physical Inclusion
Urban design standards should address physical, sensory, cognitive, and
social barriers for physical and social environments.

Inclusive land use design should include:

● Strong walking and cycling networks featuring a connected grid of


streets and paths that supports short trip distances between diverse
land uses and accessible design between goods, services, education,
and social/economic opportunities.
● Compact, diverse developments well connected through universally
accessible 10-minute transit, walking, and cycling networks.
● Commercial/residential developments are accessible to everyone,
● Clear inclusion policies specifically targeting people with disabilities
and those with limited mobility for urban development and housing
standards.
● Public and green spaces widely available in every neighborhood,
and accessible through walking, cycling, and transit.
Public and green spaces widely available in most of Riyadh’s neighborhoods
Accessibility - Physical Inclusion
TOD, or transit-oriented development, as an
Example:

TOD means integrated urban places designed


to bring people, activities, buildings, and
public space together, with easy walking and
cycling connection between them and near-
excellent transit service to the rest of the city

Transit-oriented development (TOD) can


provide a mix of key destinations within
walkable, cyclable distances that enable
everyone to reach necessary social, economic,
educational, and healthcare destinations.
Urban framework planning and open space
planning of a Transit Oriented Development for
the areas around the new METRO stations in
Riyadh city center

Architects and urban planners:


AS+P Albert Speer + Partner GmbH
Client:
ADA Arriyadh Development Authority
Year: 2014

https://www.as-p.com/projects/open-space-planning-
action-area-plan-for-transit-o-274
Urban framework planning and open space
planning of a Transit Oriented Development for
the areas around the new METRO stations in
Riyadh city center

Inclusive policies that create better TOD include


those that target:
•
Universal accessibility standards
•Social housing and low-income housing for
persons with disabilities and older persons;
•Diverse services for people of all incomes
•Local businesses (and local business retention)
Community-engagement spaces, programs, and
accessible public spaces.

https://www.as-p.com/projects/open-space-planning-
action-area-plan-for-transit-o-274
Economic Accessibility
Accessibility - Economic Exclusion

Disability is both a cause and consequence of poverty.

• It is a cause because it can lead to job loss and reduced earnings, barriers to education and
skills development, significant additional expenses, and many other challenges that can lead to
economic hardship.

• It is also a consequence because poverty can limit access to health care and preventive
services, and increase the likelihood that a person lives and works in an environment that may
adversely affect health.
Accessibility - Economic Inclusion
Implementing Economic Accessibility in Urban Design Strategies
● Economic accessibility ensures that urban environments provide equal
economic opportunities for all, particularly for individuals with disabilities,
low-income groups, and marginalized communities.
● Here’s how urban design can integrate economic accessibility:
● 1. Inclusive Zoning and Mixed-Use Development
● 2. Affordable and Accessible Public Transportation
● 3. Pedestrian-Friendly Infrastructure for Small Businesses
● 4. Job Accessibility & Inclusive Workspaces
Case Studies
The Friendship Park by Marcelo Roux + Gastón Cuña, Uruguay
Every single element of this park is perfectly user-friendly towards children and youth belonging to any
part of the disability spectrum- both physical and mental. Free of any obstacles, the layout of the space
has been designed such that there are absolutely no sharp edges or corners, thus facilitating easy
movement across the park. A variety of playful textures have been added to the design for the blind.
The park leaves no stone unturned- each and every play equipment is absolutely inclusive
Robson Square by Cornelia Oberlander, Vancouver
A sunken “linear urban park” built in a prime locality of Vancouver surrounded by civic buildings, the
Robson square is a one-of-a-kind urban space that leaves no user feeling left out. The space is easy and
flexible to access by differently-abled pedestrians, and the staircases connecting its various levels have been
brilliantly integrated with ramps. The use of waterfalls cools down the concrete environment and gives it a
softer look and feel.

You might also like