BARRIER-FREE

URBAN SPACES

ARC 829; GROUP 2 PRESENTATION

 ADEKUNLE BOLUWATIFE
(19CA02194)

INUBIWON BUKOLA
(18CA024548)

GROUP MEMBERS OLUKAYODE BISOLA

(17CA022951)

OPELOYEMI RAPHAEL
(12CA014075)

MISHAEL BULUS
(18CA024536)
ARC 829; GROUP 2 PRESENTATION

01 INTRODUCTION & DEFINITION

02 BARRIER FREE DESIGN VS UNIVERSAL DESIGN

03 SAFETY PREVENTATIVE IN URBAN AREAS

04 PRINCIPLES OF BARRIER-FREE URBAN SPACES

05 URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

06 BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLE/CASE STUDIES)

WHAT ARE BARRIER-FREE URBAN SPACES

• Barrier-free urban spaces are urban environments that are designed to

be accessible to all individuals or members of society, especially those
with disabilities.

• The concept embodies a commitment to inclusivity and equality for all,

regardless of age, ability, or circumstance.

• Barrier-free spaces facilitate independent mobility and are crucial for

promoting participation in social, economic, and cultural activities, and
enhancing the quality of life of all

(Open Access Government, 2022).

BARRIER FREE DESIGN VS UNIVERSAL DESIGN
§ Architectural barriers are described by the U.S. Small Business
Administration (1999) physical features that limit or prevent people
with disabilities from obtaining the goods or services that are
offered.

§ Therefore it is important to note that Barrier free spaces refer to

spaces that are accessible to people with disabilities or mobility
issues.

§ Universal design on the other hand refers to design of spaces that

can be used by every human in every condition regardless of age,
height, sex, e.t.c
SAFETY PREVENTATIVE IN URBAN AREAS

§ Seeing as these spaces are meant to be accessible and useful for

all, safety becomes a major concern or consideration when
designing open urban environments like this.

§ A well planned urban environment or city can enable free and

inclusive movement and safety of citizens while deterring crime
and vice to the users through strategic design decisions.
PRINCIPLES OF BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES
§ Accessibility:
The principle of accessiblity stresses that urban spaces including
buildings, parks, institutions, circulation spaces, e.t.c must be easily
reached and used by people with no segregation or challenges. It
goes without saying that a barrier-free urban environment must be
easily accessible (entered, circulated, and exited) for all users
regardless of their circumstances or challenges.
PRINCIPLES OF BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES
§ Inclusivity:
Inclusivity is often used as an encompassing term along with
accessibility however while accessibly deals mainly with physical
access, inclusivity deals more with fostering frictionless social
interaction and participation between all citizens with no
discrimination or disadvantages to the challenged
PRINCIPLES OF BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES
§ Universal design:
It has been established that barrier-free design is different from
universal design, however universal design strategies are important to
creating barrier-free spaces. According to the Center for Universal
Design, universal design involves seven principles: equitable use,
flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information,
tolerance for error, low physical effort, and appropriate size and
space for approach and use
PRINCIPLES OF BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES
§ Pedestrian and Cyclist friendly infrastructure:
While at the core of barrier-free design is inclusivity for people with
disabilities, it is not unusual for urban spaces to be accessed by a lot
of other pedestrians and cyclists, and according to Pucher & Buehler
(2010) creating infrastructure specially for these kinds of users
promotes active transportation, reduces traffic congestion, and
improves public health. Some of this infrastructure include wide and
well-maintained sidewalks, safe crosswalks, ramps for wheelchair
access, dedicated bike lanes
URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
§ Mixed use development:
A structure or region that integrates two or more uses such as;
residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or industrial is referred to
as mixed-use development.
Mixed-use buildings can be "vertical," meaning that a single structure
serves several purposes. An example would be a skyscraper with
floors of office space in addition to a hotel complex, or a terrace
building with a ground-floor shop and a first-floor apartment.
URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
§ Mixed use development:
As an alternative, they can be "horizontal" mixed-use developments,
in which a variety of structures
serve distinct functions on the same property. An example of this
would be a communal area with
lodging, recreational spaces, retail establishments, parking, and other
amenities.
(Hutzler, 2020) outlined three benefits of mixed-use development;
• Local economic growth
• Environmental Sustainability
• Physical and Mental Health
URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
§ LAND-USE PLANNING
Land use planning is the process in which developers, municipalities,
landowners, and other experts collaborate to authorize land-based
developments while adhering to guidelines that support a suitable
social and environmental impact. Ensuring that the land and its
resources are effectively exploited for the area's unique goals is the
primary objective of this process.
URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
§ STREET AND PUBLIC SPACE DESIGN
A social place that is typically accessible and open to the public is
called a public space. Public spaces typically include areas like
streets, squares, and parks. Succinctly put, public spaces refers to the
space for public use as opposed to private use. Public spaces such as
squares surrounding buildings, areas located within shopping streets,
and roof spaces, are essential components of urban complexes that
support the fusion of internal and outdoor architectural space.
URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
§ LIGHTING AND WAYFINDING
Kevin A. Lynch (1960) defined wayfinding as the regular application
and arrangement of distinct sensory signals from the surrounding
environment. Using any indications the surroundings provide to
navigate to a destination, whether familiar or unfamiliar, is known as
wayfinding.
URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
§ LIGHTING AND WAYFINDING
In Lynch’s book, ‘The Image of a City’ (1960), he outlined five
elements people use for self_x0002_navigation in an urban
environment;
1. Paths: are the routes that one travels around
2. Edges: are the routes that delineate borders and discontinuities in
a road.
3. Districts: are groups of places with related traits.
4. Nodes: are robust places where roadways converge, such as
squares or crossroads.
5. Landmarks: are easily recognized things, usually physical objects,
used for point referencing.
BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLES/CASE
STUDIES)
§ Copenhagen, Denmark:
Known for its extensive network of pedestrianized zones and cycling
infrastructure, Copenhagen prioritizes accessibility and environmental
sustainability. The Strøget, one of the longest pedestrian streets in
Europe, is a prime example of an urban space that encourages
walking, social interaction, and retail activity without the interference
of vehicular traffic.
BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLES/CASE
STUDIES)

Copenhagen, Denmark
BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLES/CASE
STUDIES)
§ New York City, USA:
Times Square's transformation into a pedestrian plaza is a successful
example of reclaiming urban space for people. The project improved
safety, reduced congestion, and created a vibrant public space that
attracts locals and tourists alike.
BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLES/CASE
STUDIES)
BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLES/CASE
STUDIES)
§ Barcelona, Spain:
The city's "Superblocks" initiative reconfigures the urban grid to reduce
car traffic and promote walking, cycling, and public spaces. By
restricting cars within certain blocks, these areas become more
accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, enhancing the quality of urban
life.
BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLES/CASE
STUDIES)

Barcelona, Spain
BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLES/CASE
STUDIES)
LESSONS LEARNT
§ Access Control:
Limiting access to targets or escape opportunities can reduce crime.
Examples include gates, fences, doors, and security guards.
§ Territorial Enforcement:
Establishing ownership of a space through physical features like
fences can help separate private and public areas, reducing crime.
§ Management and Maintenance:
Active management of a space, such as keeping areas clean and
free of graffiti, can indicate ownership and care, reducing the
likelihood of anti-social behavior.
BARRIER FREE URBAN SPACES (EXAMPLES/CASE
STUDIES)
LESSONS LEARNT
§ Legibility and Access Control:
Designing spaces to be easily understood and navigated, with clear
cues about public and private areas, can enhance safety and
reduce crime.
§ Lighting:
Adequate lighting, particularly around building entrances and
parking facilities, can help deter crime by increasing visibility and
surveillance.
§ Community Engagement:
Involving the community in the design and planning process can help
ensure that the space is designed with their needs and concerns in
mind, leading to a safer and more inclusive environment.
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING