Disability may involve physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive or intellectual impairment, mental disorder, or various types of chronic disease. Universal design is an approach to the design of products, services and environments to be usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation. It links directly to the political concept of an inclusive society and its importance has been recognized by governments, business and industry. Urban space should have certain qualities if it is to be responsive to human feelings and sensibilities

1. META-University
a new exchange programme for master students in
Architecture and Urbanism, set up by several partner
universities in Europe
Technical University of Eindhoven
St. Lucas School of Architecture Brussels-Ghent
University of Strathclyde, Department of Architecture
Bauhaus University, Weimar
School of Architecture and Landscape, Lille
The Warsaw University of Technology
University of the West of England, Bristol
Chalmers University of Technology
Università di Roma Tre
International workshop Designing in the Dark
Ghent, Belgium (11/30/2008 – 12/11/2008)

2. International workshop Designing in the Dark
Ghent, Belgium (11/30/2008 – 12/11/2008)
Università degli Studi Roma Tre -
Dipartimento di Studi Urbani
www.uniroma3.it
www.pism.uniroma3.it
Dr. Antonio Caperna, PhD
M.C. Escher. Concentric Rinds 1953 wood engraving

3. C O N T E N T S
1. General overview about disabilities
2. Universal design and urban environment
• Theoretical aspect
• Technical aspect
• examples

4. Disability:
Medical and Social model

5. A disabled person is one
who has a condition called a
disability that interferes with
his or her ability to perform
one or more activities of
everyday living.
For example, locomotion
(indoors and going outside),
getting dressed,
communicating with others
Disability: Medical and Social model

6. Form of disabilities
Disability may involve physical impairment, sensory
impairment, cognitive or intellectual impairment, mental
disorder, or various types of chronic disease.
Disability: Medical and Social model

7. Disability: Medical and Social model
Different problems, different needs
To take into account
multiply options and
combine it
Multisensorial design
Multiply approach

8. BUT….
“disabled” is an identity
that one is not necessarily
born with, as disabilities
are more often acquired
than congenital.
e.g. TAB, Temporarily Able-Bodied
many people will develop disabilities
at some point in their lives, due to
accidents, illness (physical, mental
or emotional), or late-emerging
effects of genetics.
Disability: Medical and Social model

9. …..
Disability refers to the
social effects of
physical, emotional or
mental impairment
We can talk about
“social model' of
disability”
Disability: Medical and Social model

10. if a community:
allows physical, architectural,
transportation, and other barriers to
remain in place, society is creating
handicaps that oppress individuals
with disabilities.
removes those barriers, persons
with disabilities can function at much
higher levels
Disability: Medical and Social model
the real issue is the societal response to
disability

11. Universal design principles

12. Universal design
is an approach to the design of
products, services and
environments to be usable by as
many people as possible
regardless of age, ability or
situation.
It links directly to the political
concept of an inclusive society
and its importance has been
recognized by governments,
business and industry.
Universal design principles

13. Principles
developed by the Centre for Universal Design, North Carolina State University
Principle 1: Equitable Use
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Universal design principles

14. Universal design principles

15. Universal Design and urban
environment
… To transform the
constrains into
opportunity

16. UNIVERSAL
DESIGN
WHY/WHAT
HOW?
WHERE
Industrial design
Web design
Urban Environment
….
Change
paradigm
URBAN
ENVIRONMENT
Ethics, Social
inclusion,

17. Indoor
environment
Outdoor
environment
Houses
Flats
work-place
public offices…
Existing spaces
Problem concern
Theoretical aspect
Technical aspect
New spaces
Universal Design and urban environment

18. UD and Urban Environment
Urban Environment
Problem concern
Historical
cities
modern
cities
Universal Design and urban environment

19. Outdoor environment
A practical and Theoretical tool
Universal Design and urban environment

20. Identification of the needs
piazza Navona
(Rome)
Universal Design and urban environment

21. We must consider all aspects of the outdoor environment:
■ street network, shape and type;
■ open space;
■ junctions;
■ materials and kerbs;
■ street/footway widths;
■ street furniture, including seating and signage
Cultural and Architectural heritage
Universal Design and urban environment

22. GOAL
Urban space should have certain qualities if it is to be
responsive to human feelings and sensibilities
Universal Design and urban environment
A legible environment - hierarchy of street types, Entrances to places and buildings are clearly
visible and obvious
A distinctive environment - Urban and building form is varied There is a variety of landmarks
including historic and civic buildings, distinctive structures and
places of activity, Architectural features are in a variety of styles, colours and materials
A safe environment - Bicycle lanes are separate from footways, Paving is flat, smooth and non-
slip, Street lighting is adequate for people with visual impairments, Level changes are clearly
marked
Physical and mental health - Opportunities for exercise and access to fresh air
Mobility - Ease of access to facilities/amenities and open space (inc. with assistive technology);
wayfinding ability and ability to go out
Sense of community - Belonging and social support networks
Autonomy and control - Independence, self-actualisation, self-esteem, and self-efficacy
….

23. Application

24. Universal Design and urban environmentANALYSIS

25. Source. Prof. Arch. Fabrizio Vescovo, Progetto pilota per il centro storico
Buildings (public or
private)
Ministry of Culture
Municipality
others
Universal Design and urban environment

26. Source. Prof. Arch. Fabrizio Vescovo, Progetto pilota per il centro storico
Road network
Parking areas
Pedestrian areas
Small roads
Bus stop
Taxi station
Universal Design and urban environment

27. Source. Prof. Arch. Fabrizio Vescovo, Progetto pilota per il centro storico
services
Religious building
Public offices
Cultural buildings
Health services
Commercial roads
Universal Design and urban environment

28. Source. Prof. Arch. Fabrizio Vescovo, Progetto pilota per il centro storico
Universal Design and urban environment
Architectural heritage

29. Source. Prof. Arch. Fabrizio Vescovo, Progetto pilota per il centro storico
Universal Design and urban environment
ROADS

30. Universal Design and urban environment
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
• Obstacles and protruding elements in the
path of travel
• Low overhanging signs
• Lack of warning signs around
obstructions
• Sidewalk narrow
• Rubbish skips
• Car parking
• disconnected road is cause of danger
• Absence of blind guide
• Communication at bus-stop
• Sidewalk
• Paving of the road improve the sound of
the traffic
• Car/motorbyke parking
• Low level of communication

31. Theoretical and technical Suggestion
Universal Design and urban environment

32. Reinforcement of
Nodes
Connections
Hierarchy
Goal
Universal Design and urban environment

33. Primary ways
Secondary roads
Main nodes
Secondary nodes
Universal Design and urban environment
Services
Reserved parking
Informational points
Electric cars or scooters
Electric busses
Blind guide

34. Obstructions
• include street furniture, traffic
signs, direction signs, street
plans, bollards, plants, trees,
shop awnings and advertising
signs, etc.
• should be placed outside the
path of travel wherever
possible.
• in the pathway should be easy
to detect, and if possible,
should be placed along one
continuous line
• The minimum width of a clear
unobstructed path should be
0.90 m
Universal Design and urban environment
Overhanging signs in
accessible pathways should
be mounted at a minimum
clear height of 2.00m to allow
a sightless person to pass
safely
Overhanging vegetation
should be clipped to a
minimum clear height of
2.00 m

35. PATHWAYS
PLANNING PRINCIPLE
To provide clear, obstruction-free, level and wide pathways for the convenience of
all users
PROBLEM
Uneven curbs with obstacles and holes.
Inconvenient or dangerous interruptions in the path of travel.
Insufficient width.
Changes in level.
CONSIDERATIONS
Street pavements,
pedestrian passages in open spaces and recreational areas,
pedestrian underpasses and overpasses are all considered pathways or ramps.
…
Universal Design and urban environment

36. Universal Design and urban environment
Questions (check-list)
Is the pathway clear of obstructions?
Is the path of travel free of steps or stairs?
Is the path of travel easy to detect?
Is the pathway at least 0.90 m wide?
Is the surface, level, smooth and non-slip?
Does the pathway have a different colour and texture than
the adjacent surfaces?
Are manholes placed outside the pedestrian path of travel?
Is grating flush with the surface of the pathway?
Are the grating openings narrow, not more than 13 mm?
Are the edges of raised pathways protected?
Are the plant varieties used obstructive to the pathway?
……

37. PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS
PRINCIPLE
To facilitate the safe and independent crossing of all people.
PROBLEM
Uneven road surface.
Lack of guide strips.
Lack of warning marking for crossings.
Gratings on the road surface.
CONSIDERATIONS
Pedestrian crossings should be equipped with traffic control signals
Low-traffic crossings frequently used by disabled people can be controlled by a
pedestrian push-button system
Constructing traffic islands to reduce the length of the crossing is
recommended for the safety of all road users
The road surface should be firm, well-drained, non-slip and free of construction
joints
Universal Design and urban environment

38. Pedestrians should have priority to the road traffic
It is important to force the drivers to reduce their speed.
This can be achieved in different ways:
• Traffic islands to reduce the length of the crossing for pedestrians and the width of the road
crossed
• The road surface at pedestrian crossings can be raised to the same level as the pathway
• Speed control measures: speed humps or chicanes just before the pedestrian crossings
Universal Design and urban environment

39. Guide strips
Guide strips should be constructed to
indicate the position of pedestrian crossings
for the benefit of sightless pedestrians
A guide strip should lead to pedestrian light
poles with push buttons for the benefit of the
visually disabled.
Universal Design and urban environment

40. Traffic island
Light, ..
Universal Design and urban environment

41. STREET FURNITURE
PLANNING PRINCIPLE
To design accessible amenities convenient to all people, without obstructing the free
passage of pedestrians along travel routes.
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Lack of or improper design of street furniture.
Obstructed pathways.
Inaccessible street facilities.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
street furniture includes
bus stops, mail boxes, lampposts, signboards, telephone booths, public toilets, newspaper
kiosks, planting tubs, garbage bins, etc.
Universal Design and urban environment

42. Park benches
Universal Design and urban environment

43. Adoption of ischial sittings
Source. Arch. Fabrizio Vescovo
Optimal distance between park benches
Universal Design and urban environment

44. Universal Design and urban environment
PARKING
For outdoor parking, accessible parking
spaces should be located not more
than 50 m from accessible building
entrances.

45. Universal Design and urban environment
Inaccessible building entrances due to
difference between indoor and outdoor
levels.
Inaccessible routes due to differences
in level.
RAMPS
The maximum recommended slope of
ramps is 1:20. Steeper slopes may be
allowed in special cases depending on
the length to be covered

46. Universal Design and urban environment

47. BEST PRACTICES
Universal Design and urban environment

48. Realization of “informational
modules” or tactile maps in tube
station, bus stop, public buildings,
etc.
Universal Design and urban environment

49. Handrail. tactile maps in tube station,
bus stop, public building, etc.
Universal Design and urban environment

50. Train platform
Universal Design and urban environment

51. PILOT LIGHT - miniradar
Universal Design and urban environment
Con il PILOT-LIGHT il non-vedente potrà:
- conoscere i colori dei semafori (tutti e tre)
- conoscere il numero di linea e l'eventuale direzione dei mezzi
pubblici (es. autobus numero 5 diretto alla stazione)
- trovare le cabine telefoniche , sapere se sono libere od occupate
- "leggere" i tabelloni-orari-partenze dei treni o degli aerei
- trovare i binari di partenza, posti di polizia, biglietterie, bar, toilette,
deposito bagagli, taxi, eccetera.
- visitare i musei, individuare le opere esposte ed averne la
descrizione
- servirsi del Bancomat ed essere pilotato nelle varie fasi
- andare a teatro ed avere la descrizione delle scene
- , si sono attrezzate banche, farmacie e la stazione ferroviaria.
….
Blind people can:
-Cross the main street because the system is connected
with the traffic light
-- which bus go to the main station
- “read” the time table, know the platform, the police
station, ticket point, left luggage office, bar, toilette…
- go to theater and have a description of the scenes

52. MUSEUM
Universal Design and urban environment
Uffizi quattro capolavori in rilievo per i non vedenti
'Ritratto del Duca di Urbino' di Piero della Francesca, del 'Ritratto di
giovane con medaglia' di Botticelli, del 'Ritratto di Cosimo il Vecchio' del
Pontormo e della splendida 'Madonna del cardellino' di Raffaello
Museo Tattile Statale Omero
Touching art
Touch faces, bodies, gestures, expressions,
discover volumes and perspective with your own
hands.
The Museo Tattile Statale Omero was created to fill
this gap in the range of cultural services for the non-
sighted, and also to offer an innovative space where
artistic perception passes through multi-sense, and not
just visual, stimuli.

53. Tiber island
Accessibility is guaranteed by lift
supported by people that help disable
people
Universal Design and urban environment

54. Universal Design and urban environment
Coliseum

55. Universal Design and urban environment

56. Universal Design and urban environment

57. Universal Design and urban environment
Musei Capitolini

58. Universal Design and urban environment
Musei Capitolini

59. Universal Design and urban environment
Musei Capitolini

60. Universal Design and urban environment
Villa d’Este (Tivoli, Rome)
Terraced garden

61. Universal Design and urban environment
Villa d’Este (Tivoli, Rome)

62. Universal Design and urban environment

63. Universal Design and urban environment

64. PALATINO FORUM -
ARCHEOLOGICAL AREA
Universal Design and urban environment

65. PALATINO FORUM
ARCHEOLOGICAL AREA
Universal Design and urban environment

66. Universal Design and urban environment
Foro di Traiano

67. OUR CHALLENGES AS ARCHITECT
changing paradigm
ethical issue
UD as creative challenge
Social inclusion
Demographic Change in Europe, the most significant
impact will be the ageing population in Europe. By 2050 34.5 % will be
over the age of 60 years old.
Economic Impacts and Opportunities
Preserve an make accessible the historical heritage
…
Universal Design and urban environment

68. ciao