Accessibility in Public Spaces for People with Disability: Prospects for a Barrier-Free Public Built Environment
Date
2022-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IOE Pulchowk Campus
Abstract
Disability is a massive global phenomenon that is causing increasing local, national,
and global concern. Over six hundred million people worldwide are disabled in some
way. As a result, accessibility in built environments is crucial for a variety of reasons.
Most of the time, planners and architects do not view accessibility as a fundamental
requirement. Through accessible, functional design, the barrier-free concept
encourages freedom.
Additionally, the focus on ensuring universal accessibility has been rising in order to
facilitate everyone’s participation in social and communal activities. It is evident that
accessibility for everyone grows every day throughout the world. Accessibility is
undoubtedly a crucial component of social sustainability. Numerous studies have
shown that excluding people from the built environment leads to discrimination and
the loss of opportunities for social integration. Accessibility is thus the ability to engage
in social interaction. From a practical standpoint, accessibility is a significant issue that
won't ever truly go away, but it can be improved with the help of awareness on the part
of everyone involved. Accessibility has grown beyond its initial narrow use because
we now have greater knowledge of the architectural restrictions that exist in the world
than we had at the start of the twentieth century. It should not be overlooked that
ensuring everyone's accessibility will raise people's quality of life.
The objectives of the study are to investigate the current status of public spaces and
built environment in the historic urban core of Patan, Nepal, through field visits,
surveys & interviews. It aims at assessing accessibility features in public built spaces
in the urban area of Patan, Nepal. It is based upon comprehensive observations of
infrastructures through site analysis and photography with a focus on the access audit
of old and new public open spaces and buildings. It shall also incorporate interviews
with experts in the subjects, authorities and building managers to understand the
scenario and mindset of the people in-charge. The study's conclusions may serve as a
guide for engineers, architects, planners and managers in creating a built environment
that is secure and inclusive to all.
Description
Most ideally, the goal is to create the most optimal state possible, where there are no
directional, practical, sensory, auditory, environmental, or navigational obstructions, in
an environment where all things are equal. Many people who we consider to be capable
would unconsciously accept and use design elements that promote the use of nature and
provide greater clarity, security, and utility for everyone in such a world (Shah, Shar,
Khoso, Akhund, & Soomro, 2018).
Keywords
Accessibility, Universal design, Public space, Urban design, Social inclusion