BARRIER FREE

ARCHITECTURE

-A.ROSHINI
-321106101021
-3/5 BARCH
Urban public spaces
Barrier free environment
 Types of urban public spaces
• public spaces like –
• riverfront developments,
• riverside ghats,
• lakeside developments,
• COMMUNITY PARKS and gardens,
• beaches,
• street plazas,
• commercial complexes with a range of business and recreational
activities etc.
COMMUNITY PARKS
o These spaces directly contribute to positive health outcomes for all users
and build a stronger sense of community within neighborhoods.

o when they’re in those spaces, Public spaces can also positively impact
social well-being and enhance community resilience by shaping people’s
perceptions of social connectedness, trust, welcome-ness.

o Universal accessibility features and good public amenities shall

encourage and empower a wide range of user groups to use these urban
public spaces namely, persons with disabilities, the elderly population,
women, families with young children etc.
To ensure that our public spaces are accessible
physical accessibility:

• Curb cuts and ramps: Ensure smooth

transitions between sidewalks and
streets for wheelchairs, strollers, and
people with mobility limitations.
• Wide, level pathways: Create ample
space for people of all abilities to
navigate comfortably, considering
wheelchairs, walkers, and people with
visual impairments.
• Tactile paving: Implement textured
pathways near crossings and around
obstacles to guide people with visual
• Accessible restrooms: Provide
designated stalls with grab
bars, lowered sinks, and ample
space for maneuvering
wheelchairs.
• Automatic doors and
elevators: Facilitate easy access
for everyone, especially those
with limited mobility or carrying
heavy items.
Sensory Inclusivity:

• Quiet spaces: Designate areas with minimal

noise and visual stimuli for people with autism,
sensory processing disorders, or those seeking a
moment of peace.
• Water features: Incorporate calming water
elements like fountains or ponds to provide a
soothing ambiance and mask background noise.

• Varied seating options: Offer a variety of seating

heights and styles to cater to different needs and
preferences, including benches, individual chairs,
and picnic tables.
• Playgrounds for all abilities: Equip playgrounds
with inclusive features like ramps, adaptive
swings, and sensory play equipment for children
of all abilities.
Information and Communication:
• Multilingual signage: Use clear and concise signage with
translations in major languages to cater to diverse communities.
• Braille and tactile signage: Include raised lettering or Braille
translations on signs for people with visual impairments.
• Amplified sound systems: Equip public spaces with sound
systems for important announcements and events to ensure
everyone can hear clearly.
• Digital accessibility: Ensure websites and online information are
accessible for people with disabilities, using screen readers and
alternative text descriptions.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE EQUAL ACCESSIBILITY
• provide information about a place which helps people to plan their
visit and assess potential challenges via digital platforms like websites
and smartphone-based applications. Information should always
include references to accessibility and facilities like nearest public
transportation routes, car park areas, toilets visiting hours etc.
• public space should be well integrated with the local transportation
model which allows first and last mile connectivity to all users up to
the entrance of such 358 Harmonized Guidelines and Standards for
Universal Accessibility in India 2021 facilities.
• It is highly recommended to transform urban public spaces to become
pedestrian friendly, with adequate support through paratransit and non
motorized transport systems preferably with low floor chassis.
• If there is a car park facility available,
there shall be reserved parking spaces
for persons with disabilities located
close to the strategic locations like the
entrance.

• The entrance to various urban amenities

should be as far as possible free of any
obstruction, it should provide seamless
mobility through ramps with gentle
slopes wherever there is any change of
level on the access path. TGSI tiles
should be incorporated from the
entrance to all important locations and
amenities within the complex/site.
• The wayfinding system should incorporate a comprehensive system of signage
within the public space which provides –

• a. Information signs giving relevant knowledge about the place to the visitors.

• b. Direction signs which lead the visitors to all places of interest and public
amenities.

• c. Identification signs which help visitors to identify each location on the site.

• d. Emergency exit signs leading the visitors to the nearest exit.

• The wayfinding system shall be designed to appear integrated with the overall
look and ambience of the space at the same time it should be easy to locate
and legible.
• The access path should be free of any obstructions such as street furniture, signage,
and lighting poles etc.

• The material selection for both indoor and outdoor flooring should be chosen keeping in
mind the high pedestrian traffic. The flooring should allow smooth maneuverability for
wheelchair users and should be non-slip.

• For outdoor public spaces, there should be a provision of shaded spaces by designing
landscape elements like pergolas and shaded walkways made by natural vegetation.
•
It is to be ensured by the management and operations team of the public space that all
access paths are well maintained and provide unobstructed access.
•
There shall be adequate resting seats with priority seating for persons with disabilities,
elderly, children, expectant mothers etc.
• There should be adequate illumination throughout the public space which avoids glare
and gives uniform lighting on the access path.
• Any change of levels should be marked by the use of contrasting
colors in the flooring materials/ surfaces.

• Public amenities like washrooms should be provided for Persons

with disabilities along with family friendly washrooms should be
provided. Accessible drinking water facilities and litter bins should
also be well integrated in urban public spaces.

• The management should consider providing wheelchairs on loan for

larger public spaces which will enable and ease the movement of
Persons with disabilities and elderlies in these spaces.
• Public beaches can be made accessible for wheelchair users,
families using baby prams and other users of assistive mobility
devices by providing an unobstructed access path which directly
connects the seafront from the adjoining road.

• There shall be SOS features like provision of medical emergency

systems, defibrillators on the site which can be used by the
visitors.

• All public spaces should be designed and planned to be vandalism

free zones. The selection of furniture, lighting features, litter bins,
etc. for all external public spaces should be done in a way that is
least impacted by harsh climate conditions.
 DR Y S RAJASEKHAR
REDDY VIZA
CENTRAL PARK
G
SITE ENTRANCE CHECKLIST FOR
ACCESSIBILITY
S.NO SITE ENTRANCE REMARKS EXISTING DESIGN IMPROVED LAYOUT

Is the site entrance marked No , it has a hoding inside the

1. with legible and clear signage? entry.

Is a site map provided with A site plan is provided but no

2. braille/tactile features at the braille / tactile feature at the site
site entrance ? entrance.

Are there TGSIs from the entry No TGSIs from the entry point
3. point to access the site
independently?

Is the counter for security gate Yes, the counter for security gate
4. low height for interaction with low height for interaction .
security personnel?
PARKING CHECK LIST FOR
ACCESSIBILITY
Sno. PARKING REMARKS EXISTING DESIGN IMPROVED LAYOUT

Are there accessible parking Yes the parking is provided.

1. facilities?

2. Is the number of accessible No .

parking spaces as per Table:
3.1?

3. Are the designated spaces Yes , the spaces are

wide enough 3600 mm x 3600X5000.
5000 mm

4. Are accessible parking No, no indication given.

spaces marked by the
international symbol of
accessibility?
Sno. PARKING REMARKS EXISTING DESIGN IMPROVED LAYOUT

5. Are accessible reserved parking spaces Yes , there is

used by unauthorised individuals/ ones unauthorised usage of
without disabilities or otherwise ? reserved parking.

6. Is there a kerb ramp leading to the Yes, ramp is given.

pathway?

7. Is the drop-off area marked by signage? No signage is given for

drop off but the
dropping is in front of
main entrance.

8. Is there an accessible path of travel from Yes, there is ramp

the drop-off area to the main entrance? provided.
Sno. PARKING REMARKS EXISTING DESIGN IMPROVED LAYOUT

9. Are there Accessibility signage No signages provided .

provided at a visible height range
of 1500mm to 1800 mm?

10. Are the side and rear transfer zone No transfer zone is indicated.
provided with the accessible
parking space

11. Are there accessible parking space Yes, there is parking adjacent
within a distance of 30 m from the to the pathway.
accessible entrance?
ACCESS ROUTE CHECKLIST FOR
ACCESSIBILITY
SNO. ACCESS ROUTE REMARKS EXISTING DESIGN IMPROVED LAYOUT

1. Is the minimum width of walkway (one- Yes , 4m provided

way traffic) 1200 mm ?

Yes , 4m provided .
2. Is the minimum width of walkway (two-
way traffic) 1800 mm?

3. Is the gradient of the walkway provided at Land is even.

1:20 or less?

4. For walkways greater than 60m in length, Yes, rest spaces are
is there provision of resting spaces at provided
every 30m?
SNO. ACCESS ROUTES REMARKS EXISTING DESIGN IMPROVED LAYOUT

5. For walkways built at sloping and Handrails are provided

undulating terrains, is there provision of on both sides
hand rails on both sides of the access
route?

6. Are the handrails provided at two levels as Yes, there are two levels
per section 3.11 ? of handrails.

7. Are there TGSIs provided along the length No TGSIs is provided

of the walkway? along the pathway.

8. Are the level changes in the walkway Yes, there is change of

highlighted with contrasting color strips or material.
distinct material change?
SNO. ACCESS ROUTES REMARKS EXISTING DESIGN IMPROVED LAYOUT

In case there is a presence of manholes or No manholes are found.

9. other inspection chambers on the
walkway, is the top cover flushed with the
finished floor surface of the walkway?

10. Is the walkway well illuminated with the Yes the walkway is
provision of lighting fixtures at multiple provided with street
levels? light at regular interval.

11. Is there provision of signage for walkways Yes, signages are

longer than 60m in length? (showing provided at regular
public amenities, distances, information) intervals.

12. In case of gratings on the access walkway, No grating is given in

is the maximum gap in grating kept at the walkway.
12mm wide?
KERB RAMP CHECKLIST FOR
ACCESSIBILITY
SNO. KERB RAMP REMARKS EXISTING DESIGN IMPROVED LAYOUT

1. Is the kerb ramp free of any obstruction NO ,there is a street

such as signposts, traffic lights etc.? lighting pole.

Yes, it is provided.
2. Is TGSIs provided around the kerb ramp to
make it easier to identify?

1.8 m length of the

3. Is the gradient of the kerb ramp as ramp for a height of
specified in section 3.7? 0.2m.

4. Is the minimum width of kerb ramp Yes ,12m wide ramp is

900mm? provided.