Inclusive Urban Environments Research Articles

Inclusive and Healthy Urban Environment in the Global South: Definition, Characteristics and Benefits

The power that develops when communities define their urban planning agendas is now becoming more and more evident, and community-led development may offer long-lasting upgrades to metropolitan areas. A city's social and physical environment can either enable or hinder its residents' well-being and ability to become independent whereas there are still wide gaps between understanding the inclusive urban environment and a healthy environment. There remains an overwhelming reality of alienation of the users from their environment. The term inclusive cities are widely used to refer to the inclusion of marginalized communities – slum dwellers, migrants, minority groups, women or young people – in urban processes. This paper aimed at defining an inclusive and healthy urban environment in the global south, its benefits, and its characteristics to redefine the community. An empirical article review was conducted to establish the concepts. Findings from the reviews show different indicators of urban environment exclusion and drivers of inclusivity concepts. It is therefore concluded that for urban sustainability, each community should be given priority for an inclusive healthy urban environment. Stakeholders of the global south should therefore provide policies and implement programs for total inclusiveness.

A Framework for the Spatial Inequality in Urban Public Facility for Urban Planning, Design and Management

Spatial inequality, spatial injustice, and spatial inequity are topics that have been of great interest for academics in various research fields. Among them, the uneven distribution and accessibility of urban public facilities (abbreviated as “UPF”) as one of the most predominant research subjects explores the factors that lead to disparities for people to access indispensable resources and services, which might cause significant marginalization for certain communities and further increase overall inequality. Extensive research has contributed to a status-quo understanding of spatial inequality/injustice/inequity in UPFs from demographic, political, and morphological points of view. However, there lacks a detailed set of guidelines, particularly in terms of location-specific urban planning, urban design, and UPF management strategies, which seek for more equitable opportunities for the public to receive and use amenities. To fill the gap, this research carried out an in-depth review of literature that studied spatial inequality/injustice/inequity research related to UPFs. The results showed that the findings of the current literature that studied spatial inequality/injustice/inequity research in UPFs can be mainly distinguished into three aspects: (a) morphology: the spatial structure and character of physical urban elements; (b) quantity: the uneven quantity of UPFs; (c) quality: the disparity in the quality of UPFs. Based on that, this research proposed empirical planning and design interventions from a spatial perspective. In conclusion, a framework that displays a hierarchical process of understanding and interpreting the spatial inequality/injustice/inequity in UPFs from an ambiguous concept to detailed interventions was developed, extending knowledge-based principles for urban practitioners to thoroughly understand and communicate an equal and inclusive urban environment.

EXAMINATION OF METRO STATIONS PEDESTRIAN ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL USING OPEN DATA KIT: A CASE STUDY OF NOIDA CITY IN INDIA

Abstract. To make transit rail services more attractive, the preferred public travel mode and serve as the backbone of any metropolitan area, there arises a need to create a sustainable and inclusive urban environment with access to all. This study aims to map the pedestrian permeability and impermeability by categorizing roads and streets around identified transit nodes in Noida as public, private and non-accessible by all. By doing so, the study identifies very distinct and spatial divisions like gated communities and urban villages that have emerged as social ghettos in the planned city Noida and thereby, devoid it of being an inclusive city. Initial metro station smart android-based mobile surveys were done across 12 elevated metro stations falling on the blue transit corridor line connecting Delhi with its satellite town Noida using smart apps namely ODK and Kobo Toolbox with the analysis done in QGIS. It was found that trip distance and time had a strong association with walking while age, gender and purpose of the trip had no association with walking to the metro station. Most transit users living within one-kilometer walking distance prefer to walk to the nearest metro station in Noida. Finally, the study shows the area difference between the perceived and actual Isochrones prepared in QGIS as Ped-sheds after deducing areas such as gated communities, superblocks and unplanned settlements like urban villages where the existing road/street network is not accessible by all or safe to use.

Towards inclusive urban environments for infants and toddlers: Assessing four urban neighbourhoods in Istanbul with mothers

AbstractOne of the under‐represented groups in participatory urban research is very young children (0–3 years old). Very young children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, particularly in global cities, such as Istanbul, often have to negotiate unfriendly urban spaces in their daily routines. These routines consist of intertwined events of caregivers and children, as care duties of caregivers frame their joint daily lives. Based on questionnaires and participatory mapping with full‐time mothers from Istanbul, we argue that a compact design of neighbourhoods, which merges public spaces relevant to families with young children in combined destinations, is critical towards creating inclusive urban environments.

Moving from the Margins: Towards an Inclusive Urban Representation of Older People in Zimbabwe’s Policy Discourse

Population ageing has become a major global demographic shift but perhaps less noticeable in the Global South. Zimbabwe, like many African countries, is experiencing and will continue to witness an increase in older age, hence questioning its readiness to handle such change. Ageing in Zimbabwe is currently occurring in the context of increasing poverty, political unrest, changing family structures, and weakening infrastructures. Despite this, Zimbabwe is committed to promoting change and betterment for its citizens through adherence to international agendas and national development strategies. However, the first step towards the realisation of an inclusive urban environment begins with a fair representation of the various actors and social groups. This review paper is aimed at examining the representation of Zimbabwe’s older people, a subject that has rarely been the focus of critical analysis, concentrating on the political discourse in urban development programmes. A sample of 45 international and national policy documents published post-2002, was carefully selected and inspected to determine the level of presence of older people using discourse analysis. The findings reveal that in the context of the efforts made towards a Zimbabwe that is inclusive of all citizens, the idea of older persons as subjects of rights and active participants has yet to truly gain sufficient currency. There is a dominance of a one-dimensional perspective across the majority of the publications, with older people constructed as “dependent”, “vulnerable” and “passive”, overseeing vital contributions to society. A realistic and more empowering representation of this social group, showing them as active caregivers rather than passive recipients is therefore a necessity if Zimbabwe is to fulfil its vision of inclusivity.

Built environment and autism: towards a set of spatial requirements for autism friendly cities

Abstract Background The opportunity for people functioning in an atypical way to autonomously and fully interact with the city is often compromised or denied, due to the gap between their specific spatial needs and the physical and functional organization of the urban environment. The need to reconsider the living environments taking into account the vast diversity of people gained an increasing importance in the overall debate and specifically in the field of urban planning and design. The research aims at investigating the relationship between the urban environment and people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Methods A scoping review of current available original studies research exploring the relationship between autism and built environment was conducted. PubMed, Scopus, PsychInfo and Web Of Science where searched. Studies included provided spatial requirements for designing autism friendly environment. Results In total, 801 studies were identified and 22 were included. Current researches and applications investigating the role of spatial configuration as a means for improving the autonomy of people with ASD almost exclusively focus on closed and dedicated spaces (residences, schools, care facilities, healing gardens) mostly devoted to children. Starting from this and the data collected, a first set of enabling urban spatial requirements addressing the atypical urban functioning of people with ASD - the reduction of sensory overload and the use of visual supports - in order to promote their possibility to walk autonomously and safely across the everyday city is proposed. Conclusions Despite the wide variability of the spectrum which makes it very difficult to define effective design criteria for all people with ASD, it's possible to identify a set of recurrent spatial needs. Furthermore, designing cities for people with ASD can also contribute to healthier and more inclusive urban environments for other groups of vulnerable inhabitants.

Using Auto-Photography to Explore Young People's Belonging and Exclusion in Urban Spaces in Accra, Ghana

This paper examines young people's ‘lived' experience of urban spaces in Accra, the capital of Ghana, by focusing on the use of auto-photography as an appropriate method for this investigation. Accra has a very young population and low rates of employment among the young people, demographics that are often associated with societal instability and increased risk of civil conflict. Research into African youth and the urban spaces they occupy is scarce and involves real challenges, but it is necessary and urgent due to various issues of exclusion and identity. This paper reports part of a larger phenomenological study on the spatial exclusion of youth in Accra's urban spaces. The theoretical framework builds on Lefebvrian dialectics of space and focuses on how notions of belonging and exclusion are reflected in the mode of ‘lived space'. The fieldwork was completed on a small sample of young people in two distinct neighborhoods of Accra. In essence, the focus of the paper is on the urban spaces occupied by young people and on the utility of the participatory research tool adopted, auto-photography. In this context, the tool is less intrusive than direct observation and therefore well equipped to allow an ‘insider' view into personal experiences and perceptions of place that are otherwise difficult to access and study. The paper concludes with a call for urban professionals and decision makers to produce inclusive urban environments that cater for all while allowing for differences and belonging to co-exist.

Human-centred public urban space: exploring how the ‘re-humanisation’ of cities as a universal concept has been adopted and is experienced within the socio-cultural context of Riyadh

ABSTRACT Universal concepts in spatial planning, e.g. ‘re-humanisation’ of cities, have been adopted by many cities worldwide. However, spatial planning cannot be understood independently from its socio-cultural context. This paper uses the ‘culturized planning model’ to analyse the extent to which the application of universal spatial assumptions as an approach to Riyadh’s municipal programme, Humanizing the City, has created inclusive urban environments. The paper shows that relying solely on universal guidelines to achieve urban qualities was insufficient for creating inclusive public spaces. Gender norms and religious traditions influenced the provision of public space by reproducing gender-segregation, which contributed to women’s exclusion.

Monitoring User-Based Accessibility Assessment in Urban Environments and in Public Buildings

The research features analysis of user-experience-based accessibility assessment and progress monitoring of buildings and public spaces; this analysis is used as a tool for facilitating the development of humane, socially sustainable and an inclusive urban environment. A group of users representing people with different kinds of disabilities, the elderly and families with children was created to assess the quality of access to various buildings with different functions and locations across Vilnius and in Singapore. A school, two hospitals, a rehab centre and two offices were selected for access monitoring in Vilnius City, while a hotel, a cafe and two metro stations with public squares were chosen for access assessment in Singapore. As the same method was principally applied to assess accessibility of selected buildings in Vilnius City in 2000 and 2017 and in Singapore in 2012, the article draws a comparative analysis of access levels in these two cities located in different global regions. The results show a definite improvement of access quality over time and also identify the critical aspects in this process. The segment of plot planning represents the lowest quality of access for all assessed building types as compared to the building segment and the external–internal element segments. The paper also draws conclusions that access improvement is a continuous process of implementing advanced urban policy instruments, and city planners can contribute to it by constantly analysing and presenting to public the monitoring data about the progress in access improvement. Comparing the assessment results between Vilnius City and Singapore – cities that are located in different global regions and in different socio-economic environments – provides a practical tool for benchmarking and setting the priorities for this process.

AVAILABILITY OF TRANSFER HUB INFRASTRUCTURE TO LIMITED-MOBILITY PEOPLE

This paper presents research into the formation of the inclusive urban environment in city transfer hubs. Research results are obtained in the field of availability to public facilities for disabled people, namely to transfer hubs. The analysis is given to the movement of disabled people according to different types of planning elements. The main principles are formulated for the development of planning solutions and parameters that meet requirements for the inclusive urban environment.

Spaces of alternative culture in Prague in a time of politicaleconomic changes of the city

Cultural plurality distinguishes democratic societies from totalitarian regimes. Cultures that generate low profit are nonetheless constrained by a capitalist economy, which drives them out of spaces available on the market. Some alternative cultures therefore search for spaces that transcend the socio-spatial standards and norms of mainstream society. This paper refers to Marxist urban theory and the concept of the right to the city to demonstrate that in democratic societies alternative non-profit uses of space for cultural purposes are important and create diverse, vibrant, progressive, and socially inclusive urban environments. The example of Prague shows how the changing political-economic context affects spaces that local alternative cultures use. Through observation in the contexts of socialist, post-socialist, and contemporary Prague, the paper aims to examine the inclusivity of the current regime towards cultural plurality, as well as the extent to which the current regime has abandoned the former totalitarian regime’s repressive approach towards alternative cultures.

A Tale of Two SOUQS: The Paradox of Gulf Urban Diversity

The paper discusses current trends and future developments in the study of people-urban environment relations, with an emphasis on the concept of diversity within the Gulf cities. This is explored in relation to: theoretical approaches, urban public spaces, people's lifestyles, social groups and inclusive urban environments. Contemporary Gulf cities are providing unique examples for research on urban diversity. Its demographic structure is distinctive for a minimum of 50% expatriates in overall population. Gulf cities are obliged to cope with such a compelling fact. The challenge is to move away from indifference and bring about better acceptance of others. On the relationship; city spaces and culture, the paper argues that traditional markets must be envisioned as spaces for cultural expressions. Traditional markets are a rich display of products and talents and a great opportunity to share and meet with people from same culture and others. Using comparative analysis approach juxtapositioning the selected cases, the paper confronts questions like what does Gulf urban diversity mean in the present. In addition, is diversity in urban spaces only a challenge to be dealt with or is there also economic potential that can be taken advantage of? How do we ensure that Gulf cities are indeed spaces of tolerance? How to give visibility to the spaces of marginalized groups, as these spaces are often ignored or worse, eliminated? How to preserve or regain spaces in the city for the expression of traditional cultures of those migrating from other regions or countries? The paper explores the socioeconomic and cultural mechanisms that can encourage inclusive pluralism in the Gulf cities' open spaces.

Urban Diversities – Environmental and Social Issues

Biological and human-cultural diversity are crucial aspects of sustainable life on this planet, a fact that was recognized by the United Nations which declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. Managing diversities in urban contexts, where more than half of the world's population currently live, represents a fundamental aim for sustainable urban development. If this is to be achieved it requires collaboration among different scientific and technical disciplines, many of which are represented in this book. Drawing on a diversity of epistemological, theoretical, and methodological approaches is key to understanding people-environment relations and for promoting the quality of urban life. The volume is organized around different research themes, relevant for understanding current trends and future developments in the study of people-urban environment relations, with an emphasis on the key concept of diversity. This is explored in relation to: # Theoretical and methodological approaches # Visual processes and urban landscapes # Urban green spaces # People's lifestyles and urban sustainability # Social groups and inclusive urban environments

Mapping for Wheelchair Users: Route Navigation in Urban Spaces

Navigation around urban areas is often constraining for the mobility-impaired due to the fabric of the urban landscape, and there is a need to provide maps tailored to individual abilities. Barriers to effective navigation, such as slope, surface type and dropped kerbs, differ for able-bodied pedestrians and wheelchair users. This study identifies and quantifies such differences, and develops a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) network model for the creation of accessibility maps for wheelchair users. The measurement of barriers uses Digital Elevation Models, calculation of rolling resistance, and surveys in the field using hand-held GIS. A spatial database has been constructed which contains the pedestrian route network and barriers to navigation. A GIS application runs the model, providing a user-friendly interface to define and calculate routes through the pedestrian route network that take account of impedances to accessibility. The model, application and interface has been tested with wheelchair users and the route selection provides a good correspondence with patterns of route finding already established through experience. The interface and individually tailored maps generated, provide a tool suitable to assist wheelchair users new to an area; to enable better navigation for existing users, and a means for planners to consider the way in which access is restricted for wheelchair users in their designs for more inclusive urban environments.