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Accessibility of Buildings and the Built Environment – Sustainable Environment...
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Accessibility of Buildings and the Built Environment – Sustainable Environment Needs to Be Accessible

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2023) | Viewed by 6971

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Samir Chidiac

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Interests: structural materials; concrete; masonry; self-healing; building science; accessibility; numerical methods; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The objective of this issue is to document the innovations and discoveries of research studies and designs on accessibility in the built environment, the evolution of accessibility codes and standards, and the experiences of people with different types of disabilities.

Disability is defined by the World Health Organization “as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations.” According to Achieve Australia, physical disability, sensory disabilities, and intellectual disabilities are defined as follows: a physical disability is a physical condition that affects a person’s mobility, physical capacity, stamina, or dexterity; sensory disabilities, or sensory impairments, affect one or more of a person’s senses: touch, hearing, sight, taste, smell, or spatial awareness; intellectual disabilities or impairments develop before adulthood and can affect a person’s ability to learn, communicate, retain information, and undertake work or leisure activities. Accessibility in the built environment for people with any form of disabilities is important to ensure equality in society, equitable contribution to society, and improve the quality of life for all. Accordingly, there is a need to document the state of knowledge pertaining to accessibility in the built environment, including buildings and monuments with heritage designation. This Special Issue will hopefully contribute to, encourage, and/or enhance the development of comprehensive accessibility standards worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Samir Chidiac
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • accessibility
  • people living with disability
  • built environment
  • existing buildings
  • heritage buildings and monuments
  • education
  • case studies
  • codes, standards, guidelines
  • design

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 2623 KiB  
Article
Design of a Support Tool to Improve Accessibility in Heritage Buildings—Application in Case Study for Public Use
by Mª Paz Sáez-Pérez and José Marín-Nicolás
Buildings 2023, 13(10), 2491; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102491 - 30 Sep 2023
Viewed by 741
Abstract
The existing literature shows the interest in the study of accessibility within heritage architecture, particularly in the context of repurposing these structures to extend their lifespan. Published examples primarily focus on barrier identification or intervention within specific buildings, without the development of methods [...] Read more.
The existing literature shows the interest in the study of accessibility within heritage architecture, particularly in the context of repurposing these structures to extend their lifespan. Published examples primarily focus on barrier identification or intervention within specific buildings, without the development of methods that facilitate their widespread application for barrier removal. The proposed methodology entails the division of the building into analytical zones, the identification of existing barriers, the proposal of feasible solutions, and the establishment of various action plans based on the building’s priorities. The results reveal a significant percentage of removable architectural barriers within the analysed buildings, all in harmony with the preservation of the heritage. Among the conclusions, it is noteworthy that the method’s applicability extends to heritage and non-heritage buildings of varying uses and typologies, showcasing the substantial accessibility potential within heritage architecture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Accessibility of Buildings and the Built Environment – Sustainable Environment Needs to Be Accessible)
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16 pages, 1183 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Accessibility: A Comprehensive Study of Current Apps for Enabling Accessibility of Disabled Individuals in Buildings
by Eleni Apostolidou and Paris A. Fokaides
Buildings 2023, 13(8), 2085; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13082085 - 17 Aug 2023
Viewed by 3416
Abstract
In today’s digital age, mobile applications have become invaluable tools for enhancing accessibility and inclusivity, especially for individuals with disabilities. This study focuses on the landscape of accessibility apps designed to facilitate inclusivity for disabled individuals in buildings. By investigating current trends, strengths, [...] Read more.
In today’s digital age, mobile applications have become invaluable tools for enhancing accessibility and inclusivity, especially for individuals with disabilities. This study focuses on the landscape of accessibility apps designed to facilitate inclusivity for disabled individuals in buildings. By investigating current trends, strengths, weaknesses, and their impact on independence and quality of life, the research aims to shed light on the state of these apps and identify areas for future development. To achieve these objectives, a multi-faceted approach was employed, encompassing a literature review and app categorization. The study emphasizes the necessity for a common evaluation and certification framework to ensure consistency, reliability, and transparency in assessing the effectiveness of accessibility apps in the built environment. Such a framework would instill user trust, support informed decision-making, and stimulate innovation in this field. The findings of this research contribute to the advancement of inclusive design practices, serving as a valuable resource for developers, policymakers, and disabled individuals seeking effective tools to enhance accessibility. By fostering an inclusive society where disabled individuals can fully navigate and participate, this study aligns with the broader goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Accessibility of Buildings and the Built Environment – Sustainable Environment Needs to Be Accessible)
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12 pages, 5715 KiB  
Article
Associations between Elderly Residents’ Supermarket Accessibility and Built Environmental Features in Seoul, Korea
by Donghyun Kim, Jaeseok Hwang and Jina Park
Buildings 2023, 13(2), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13020402 - 01 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1433
Abstract
Scholars have examined the relationship between destination accessibility and various pedestrian-friendly environments in neighborhoods. However, there have been few studies on whether micro-scale environmental features promote access to supermarkets. This study fills these gaps by examining the accessibility of supermarkets and the meso- [...] Read more.
Scholars have examined the relationship between destination accessibility and various pedestrian-friendly environments in neighborhoods. However, there have been few studies on whether micro-scale environmental features promote access to supermarkets. This study fills these gaps by examining the accessibility of supermarkets and the meso- and micro-scale environmental features. In particular, environmental features that pedestrians can experience at the eye-level were estimated using the Naver pedestrian direction API and semantic segmentation technique. Multivariate regression models were employed to determine whether neighborhoods with high supermarket accessibility ensure walkable environments for the elderly. Our findings have shown that the walkability differs according to different levels of supermarket accessibility. Neighborhoods with high supermarket accessibility had high density and high diversity, and they provided high-quality sidewalk pavement. Conversely, elderly residents in neighborhoods with low accessibility had to pass through more pedestrian crossing facilities and steep slopes to go to do their shopping. These results can provide insight to policymakers and planners about the uneven accessibility of supermarkets and help improve neighborhood walkability for the elderly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Accessibility of Buildings and the Built Environment – Sustainable Environment Needs to Be Accessible)
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Review

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19 pages, 1056 KiB  
Review
Accessibility of the Built Environment for People with Sensory Disabilities—Review Quality and Representation of Evidence
by S. E. Chidiac, M. A. Reda and G. E. Marjaba
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030707 - 06 Mar 2024
Viewed by 837
Abstract
People with sensory disabilities constitute a significant portion of society whose accessibility needs must be prioritized in the design of the built environment. Sensory disabilities cause a gap in the environmental information received, most commonly visual and/or auditory cues, that requires consideration to [...] Read more.
People with sensory disabilities constitute a significant portion of society whose accessibility needs must be prioritized in the design of the built environment. Sensory disabilities cause a gap in the environmental information received, most commonly visual and/or auditory cues, that requires consideration to create equal opportunities and experiences for all. This paper evaluates the quality and representation of existing research on accessibility for people with sensory disabilities, aiming to identify gaps and inconsistencies in current studies. By considering variations in disability type, degree of impairment, and assistive aid usage, we seek to enhance the development of inclusive accessibility standards. Through this analysis, we aim to provide actionable insights for future research and contribute to the creation of more equitable built environments for all individuals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Accessibility of Buildings and the Built Environment – Sustainable Environment Needs to Be Accessible)
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