Digital Tools to Foster Inclusiveness: Porto’s System of Accessible Itineraries

Fernando Alves,Miguel Lopes

doi:10.3390/su13115840

Abstract

The recognition, by public authorities, of the shared nature of urban places and the extent and variety of disabling conditions associated with the emergence of phenomena of social exclusion and a steadily ageing population has motivated the creation of new legislation and strategic tools under the umbrella of inclusive design and accessibility for all. This study aims to show how the use of a new interactive accessibility instrument—the System of Accessible Itineraries (SIA)—can help decision-makers, municipality services and citizens to develop pedestrian-friendly networks in their cities. An in loco analysis of the main features, weaknesses, and potential of public spaces was undertaken within a selected survey area in the city of Porto, with the aim of improving the inclusiveness of public spaces. The integration of several concerns and regulations, pertaining to inclusiveness in the design of public spaces, into an easy-to-understand summary specific to this territory constitutes an important first step towards changing the existing paradigm. Apart from the inherent advantages to citizens with reduced mobility, the SIA also has the ability to inform urban planners concerning areas in need of intervention, prioritizing the execution of corrective actions within the public space. Additionally, due to the morphological similarity of the consolidated urban fabric of most Portuguese and European cities, the adopted interactive framework also reveals a considerable potential for comprehensive replication in many city centres, reducing the physical barriers, in a more integrative land strategy.

Highlights

The urban environment should provide a democratic setting for human presence by increasing the range of available decisions [1,2,3,4,5]
The “built environment” falls within the domain of the urban planner. Issues such as the absence or degradation of sidewalks, the lack of accessible pedestrian crossings, or the presence of obstacles emphasize the constant degradation of urban environment quality [8]
The discussion of the contribution of the System of Accessible Itineraries (SIA) can assume two distinct angles, the first related to the improvement of the tool itself, and the second focused on the exploration of future synergies to improve its contribution to society and to enhancement of the urban landscape

Summary

Introduction

The urban environment should provide a democratic setting for human presence by increasing the range of available decisions [1,2,3,4,5]. The “built environment” falls within the domain of the urban planner Issues such as the absence or degradation of sidewalks, the lack of accessible pedestrian crossings, or the presence of obstacles emphasize the constant degradation of urban environment quality [8]. Against this background, cities fail to answer the real physical, information and communication needs of their populations. The existence of several small scale (micro) deficiencies of the built environment hinder the implementation of actions designed at the strategic (macro) level [9] It urges planning for the elimination of such barriers and the improvement of human movement, with proper conditions of comfort and safety

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion