As Sofia Brem, an accessibility expert and architect of the urban bureau Big City Lab, said, the goal of developing the "Barrier-free Solutions Album" is primarily to explain in a simple and visual way to all those responsible for the creation of the urban environment, what is dictated by state building regulations norms of inclusiveness, why they should be observed and how they should be supplemented.
Norms of inclusivity in Ukraine are often not fulfilled, and customers and contractors do not understand their logic. Image copyright Big City Lab
Often, customers or executors do not understand what is behind this or that item of DBN, do not know what universal design is, and why, if possible, it is better to give preference to universal solutions at the start of design, and not to adapt the environment to the needs of vulnerable and low-mobility user groups later .
Universal solutions include, but are not limited to, accessibility standards. Universal design is advantageously different from accessible (inclusive) design in that it is convenient for all people, regardless of their age, build, perception and physical capabilities. And accessibility implies adaptation of the environment to the needs of certain categories of people. Therefore, it is very important to immediately choose a universal solution, for example, not to build a ramp to the entrance, but to design an entrance area without thresholds and steps, or to provide a multi-level information desk, and not to arrange a podium or stairs later for the convenience of children or short adults. In the finished environment, you will have to resort to adaptation, and this can be more expensive than a universal solution at the start.
"The album of barrier-free solutions was published under the auspices of the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. How quickly these decisions will be implemented in state regulations and implemented in practice, in particular, depends on the officials of the ministry," - believes Sofia Brem.
During the discussion, it became clear that many rules of universal design are not obvious even for architects. For example, not everyone understands how to highlight obstacles or dangerous elements on children's playgrounds with a contrasting color, and at the same time avoid a bright and colorful design. Sofia Bram explains that children with autism spectrum disorders do not perceive bright chaos well, and the contrast can be provided literally with the help of two, maximum three shades. Such elements of infrastructural engineering as drainage grates, sewer hatches, bollards should also be highlighted, as they can cause injuries to a pedestrian, a child on roller skates, or a person on a scooter. Obvious to many are such mandatory rules as contrasting marking of glass doors, selection of obstacles, barriers, stairs using different materials or colors.
"The album of barrier-free solutions" is a guide not only for designers, but also for a wide audience. Image copyright Big City Lab
As Sofia Brem reported, the urban bureau Big City Lab continues work on the next sections of the Album of barrier-free solutions and will supplement it, in particular, with examples from modern international practice.
