So far, according to a ten-point scale of assessment of the inclusivity of the urban environment, not a single Russian city has reached the highest mark, experts say. However, city managers working to increase residents’ loyalty to the government and following current agendas keep the topic of inclusivity in focus
In principle, everyone knows that the inclusivity of the urban environment is the concept of arranging and creating spaces convenient for all user groups, including people with limited mobility, people with hearing, visual, cognitive impairment, and so on. The basic principles of such an environment are accessibility, security and convenience.
Turning into a conversation with BFM.ru from the general to the particular, Elena Trubina, project manager of the Atlas consulting bureau, emphasizes that based on these simple principles, professionals have formed directions and concepts related to the topic of inclusivity and responsible for different blocks: a safe urban environment, an accessible urban environment, a barrier-free urban environment and universal design. And there are certain requirements for all these concepts.
— For example, a barrier-free urban environment is created by designing and/or adapting the existing space so that there are no physical and sensory obstacles on the way from one location to another for people. We all know the physical barriers: the absence of ramps at pedestrian crossings from the sidewalk to the roadway (ramp stones, curbs, and the like), entrances to the building at the level with the sidewalk, flower tubs installed in the middle of the route, steep slopes of the paths. Sensory barriers are, accordingly, what we hear and see. Previously, loud audio ads from retail outlets were common, and a large number of overlapping messages could create a barrier in the way. Visual barriers are bright LED and neon advertisements with sharply flashing illumination, which can be a hindrance for people with concentration problems or epilepsy. Excessive or chaotic information navigation, that is, a large number of pointers, signs that do not fit together well, becomes a problem for all categories of users.
— Are accessibility requirements some kind of fundamentally different set?
— An accessible environment is considered when all citizens can freely move in space, freely use services and services, as well as public transport (both land and metro), have convenient access to buildings and structures, terminals of train stations and airports. This is achieved by designing new buildings taking into account universal design and measures to increase the accessibility of existing structures: specialized ramps, zero entry mark, installation of special elevators and lifts, handrails, special coatings and so on. Measures to combat snow and precipitation, and ice are also working to increase the accessibility of the environment. The accessibility of the environment at the minimum acceptable level is regulated by the regulatory and legal documentation on design. The bar above the minimum is indicated within the framework of recommendations that do not require strict control.
— I see. And what about the safety requirements?
— Here the name speaks for itself: we are talking about ensuring that the urban infrastructure is organized physically safely, that is, without traumatic scenarios for the use of territories. Accordingly, mentally it should be comfortable and calm here. Such an environment should be absolutely for everyone, without exception, however, the rules governing the requirements for building and organizing spaces do not provide for ensuring this security in a broad sense for everyone: they take into account the principle of the majority. That is why we so often encounter the concept of an “accessible and safe urban environment” — because it is by accessibility that this security reaches the norm for the majority at a certain level.
— It remains to talk about universal design…
— It is an approach to the creation of products, facilities and the environment in general, which aims to ensure accessibility and usability for all people, regardless of their age, abilities or physical characteristics: children, adults and pensioners, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and neuro—differences, cyclists – everyone should be comfortable. The very concept of universality unites design approaches without dividing into target audiences, which means that navigation is intuitively readable, there are no obstacles and restrictions. Universal design is not fixed within the framework of regulatory legal acts, however, when designing, this method is similar to consulting projects: all behavioral scenarios and features are carefully studied, and an environment is designed that is maximally adaptive to individual needs.
As Elena Trubina explains, first of all, the entire infrastructure should be available around the clock and year-round. There are strict regulations or at least recommendations on the level of illumination of spaces, light on/off mode, installation of security systems (audio and video surveillance), traffic management (traffic police rules, traffic lights, parking spaces) and so on. The minimum basic level is strictly fixed in the regulations for the operation of urban areas.
Photo: Artyom Geodakian/TASS
For public spaces, there are also several sets of rules and GOST standards governing certain provisions. For example, pedestrian paths should be barrier-free, with a sidewalk width of at least 1.5 meters and the presence of “pockets” with a certain step for the possibility of passing oncoming users. The paths must be made smooth, without holes and potholes, with a rough surface and a certain coefficient of adhesion of the sole to the coating. It is necessary that the coatings have a certain slope that is safe for movement.
Another example: stairs need to be duplicated with ramps, elevators, or an alternative route without a relief drop. The requirements for ramps are also approved, they must be strictly observed: a width of at least one meter, a slope of 5-8%, handrails of a certain cross-section and a certain configuration installed in two levels (700 and 900 millimeters), the completion of the handrails with a ring for convenient hand interception. If the ramp exceeds the permissible length, it is divided into several marches with turning platforms of certain dimensions that allow a wheelchair turn.
Photo: lana 1501/Lori Photo Bank
Entrances to public places and public transport, descents to the subway should be marked with special tactile tiles. “A few years ago, there was a boom in the use of tactile tiles in Moscow. However, you need to understand that in a cold climate it needs to be given additional attention, properly operated in winter. The use of such tiles without additional maintenance is relevant in places under canopies, on skytrain platforms, entrances in front of the subway and public transport stops, in front of pedestrian crossings and entrances to buildings. In recent years, traffic lights with audio traffic control signals have become the most common for people with visual impairment, and smart supports with audio broadcasting in public spaces,” the expert continues to give examples.
Separate sets of rules governing accessibility for people with limited mobility are available for buildings and structures: the width of corridors where wheelchair movement is expected is normalized, requirements for the width of doorways, installation of ramps, dimensions and configuration of handrails, lifts, staff call buttons on the street and inside buildings, elevators and other amenities. Transparent showcases are marked with a bright contrasting sign (yellow circles) to increase attention and level out traumatic situations.
Photo: Elena Afonina/TASS
According to Elena Trubina’s observations, some of the requirements are ingrained in established practice, some still require attention, and there are some temporary adaptation methods at all. “There are still blind spots in the accessibility of cultural heritage sites, which, on the one hand, must be carefully preserved and protected, and on the other — to ensure accessibility and a barrier-free environment in the form of measures to expand openings, revise geometry, and so on. The solution and the project are agreed upon individually each time: ramps, lifts, ground elevators or their complete absence. During the redevelopment of buildings, it is problematic to implement a number of changes due to difficulties in obtaining permits and approvals from various inspections or design documentation for expanding corridors, openings, organizing elevators, and sometimes due to the general rise in the cost of the project,” the expert believes.
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In general, according to the interlocutor of the portal, from the point of view of public opinion, we are in the process of transformation. Using the example of Moscow, it can be noted that city managers working to increase residents’ loyalty to the government and following current agendas keep this topic in focus. “Citizens are used to high-quality and timely service, which is expected in a physical and digital environment. Previously, few people thought about the absence of a ramp or a regulated pedestrian crossing, but now the Dobrodel and Active Citizen services are actively used, where any deviation from the declared quality of the environment is recorded in the form of complaints and put under the control of balance holders and managers,” says Elena Trubina.
Photo: Nikolay Vinokurov/Lori’s Photo Bank
She recognizes that one part of society consciously addresses the needs of all user groups, while the other still lives in the old paradigm. But we are certainly developing, spaces are becoming more accessible and comfortable, standards, recommendations, reference books on solutions and equipment are appearing. “In my opinion, the topic of inclusivity, the coexistence of different target audiences, their feelings about life scenarios should be discussed more often at a professional level, highlight the “gray areas”, talk about the most diverse needs of people, attract the attention of a young audience to these problems, and then we will move to a new level of space organization,” Elena is sure Trubina.
If you try to make a rating of the inclusivity of Russian cities, then on a ten-point scale, no city is marked by an ideal indicator. “This is evidenced by the results of public discussions that I attended earlier, and the results of feedback from representatives of different target audiences. There are three leading cities – Moscow, Sochi and Kazan, there are separate perfectly adapted spaces, successful examples in infrastructure, however, there are always special cases when the ramp broke down or it is uncomfortable for a person to ask for the escort of special services of the metro and enterprises. New design standards, norms that are being introduced, increasingly take into account aspects of design inclusivity, and architects-designers maintain the basic bar of needs. And this means that over time, cities can be evaluated on a maximum scale,” Elena Trubina is sure.
Do real estate market players — architects and developers, representatives of consulting and management companies – agree with her opinion? What are they doing so that the environment created in their projects can not only be beautifully named, but also be inclusive in reality? Do they consider legislative regulation in this area sufficient? More on that next time.
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