Universal design for tourism towards sustainable built environment in Malaysia
This paper has two objectives, firstly the overview of the status of the concept of barrier free architecture, in Malaysia since its independence in 1957. In early 1990s, many standards and code of practice for the disable have been developed to consider having good accessibility, connectivity and u...
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2014
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/48939/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/48939/1/book_STUD2014_COMBINED.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/48939/2/2_-_STUD2014_KEYNOTE_1.pdf |
| Summary: | This paper has two objectives, firstly the overview of the status of the concept of barrier free architecture, in Malaysia since its independence in 1957. In early 1990s, many standards and code of practice for the disable have been developed to consider having good accessibility, connectivity and usability in the built environment. Malaysian Standards (MS) are developed through consensus by committees which comprise balanced representation of producers, users, consumers, professionals in the building industry and others with relevant interests. MS 1184:2014 Universal Design and accessibility in the built environment was prepared to include with the latest standards, data and information to accommodate persons with disabilities (PwDs), the aged and children in various building typologies. Universal Design, is defined as the design of the built environment and products, which require the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used by all people including children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Application of universal design is able to promote sustainable built environment. Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of society in ways that can continue indefinitely into the future without damaging or depleting natural resources, meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Secondly, by the year 2050, 15% of Malaysian population will be 65 years and above. Malaysia falls number nine (9) ranking for tourism in the world, it is timely that design requirements in the built environment both inside and outside buildings to apply universal design concept to include various users and human abilities such as people with hearing impairments, visual impairments, mobility impairments, cognitive or learning impairments, people with hidden (such as strength, stamina, mental) impairments and people with diversities in age a stature (including frails persons). Tourism industry for the ageing population is growing worldwide in a multi-facetted phenomenon. Specific access requirements and facilities including tourist information, facilities, transport and services should be provided. Tourists are coming for various reasons, such as vocation, education, religious, cultural and social activities. KAED Universal Design Unit (KUDU), IIUM was formed in 2008, to do research and development on universal design, organize product design competition, running access audit workshop throughout the country, which show very interesting findings, related to level of accessibility, connectivity, awareness, understanding of the concept among designers, owners, contractors, enforcement from local authorities, selection of materials and history of the buildings constructed. For post construction, these data may help building owners to upgrade their facilities, and for pre construction, universal design principles should be included at the early stage of any development to provide good accessibility at micro level and livable city at macro level.
Keywords: Tourism, Universal Design, Sustainable Built Environment, 15 persons with disabilities, accessibility, ageing, Malaysian Standard. |
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