Universally designed public spaces by enhancing accessibility and connectivity
Public space, apart from public building is an important physical element in our built environment. Accessibility relates directly with the built environment and followed by accessible design that is often associated with providing to the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The current real...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
International Journal for Studies on Children, Women, Elderly And Disabled
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/52918/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/52918/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/52918/1/52918_Universally%20designed%20public%20spaces.pdf |
| Summary: | Public space, apart from public building is an important physical element in our built environment. Accessibility relates directly
with the built environment and followed by accessible design that is often associated with providing to the needs of Persons with
Disabilities (PwDs). The current realm of our built environment claims to be accessible but only restricted to new buildings of
public attractions and high-rise skyscrapers erected at urban developments. The unprecedented and left out public spaces in
between these developments are the victims. These public spaces are the paths, the links, the connections, the nodes and the
transitions of our built environment. This paper emphasizes the importance of enhancing the accessibility and connectivity
aspect in order to create a universally designed public space to have the expectation of seamless journey. Lack of seamlessness
in the access route concludes that those public spaces have not been taken into consideration while designing or planning
adjacent developments. Accessibility may have been provided but restricted and is not designed for all which eventually is
essential for everyone to participate in social and communal life. Significantly, noting accessibility as a crucial key factor in
ensuring social inclusion and creating a balanced social sustainability. |
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