CONCLUSION

After all these weeks of investigation it is difficult to think it is time to look back and make sense of all in a holistic way. I started creating three street sections (see appendices pages 92, 93 & 94) that showed (1) the existing challenges that Norvella Heights face to be accessible, (2) a diagrammatical section with possible solutions for those challenges, and (3) the location of the access spaces that need to be redesigned for accessibility. Using this section I was able to establish the way in which accessibility works in an intergenerational neighborhood.

Accessibility works at the different areas of the neighborhood:

• District- allows for easy access to the neighborhood. Mass and vehicular transportation.
• Block – creates a correlation between blocks and a hierarchy of spaces.
• Lot – creates a relationship between them and allows for easy access to all areas.
• Unit – permits accessible and visitable houses to be part of the neighborhood originally created with physical barriers.
• Sidewalk – connect all areas of the neighborhood from a pedestrian view.
• Streets – create a mainframe of spaces and places that are useful for every person.
• Open Spaces – serves as anchors for the social interactions and are barrier free.

After my investigation I found that accessibility is the key element of an intergenerational neighborhood. Therefore, my original hypothesis was valid. We can create intergenerational neighborhoods in which the elders can be housed adequately, if we design for accessibility. With this, I was able to develop the characteristic of the intergenerational neighborhood. They are as follows:

I. Conceptually

• Its residents; when people of different generations live in the different units.

II. Physically

• Center – it has a defined central area that provides social interactions and physical activities.
 The center does not need to be in the middle of the neighborhood
 It should have a high density during the day and be a safe ‘live’ area at night
 It should provide activities of all ages
 It has to be on a walking distance or provide transportation
 Should incorporate green elements

• Commercial areas – needs to have some source of commercial activity that it is related to the neighborhood social needs.
 Examples
• Coffee shop, bakery bodega
• Library, bookstore
• Small eating place with outdoor area
 Located at a walking distance

• Open & Green Spaces – at all blocks or shared by two.
 Provide shelter from the elements
 More than a grass area
 Security provide by residents
 Located in the interior streets

• Block- two or more block types have to be present.
 Each block most have a social interaction area
 Some Single family residential blocks must be kept
 Mix residential use should be implemented
 Commercial and civic institutions should be together
 Civic and residential can be together
 Work elements are not enforced
 Most have pick up/drop off areas for school buses
 Smaller blocks will eliminate the need of alleys

• Lots - should flow with the block configuration and keep its relationship.
 Fenced areas should allow interaction between neighbors
 Green areas should be proportional with the built areas
 An ‘accessible transitional space’ should be integrated to create a semi public/private area before the right of way
 Can be combine to allow space for more units
 Front yard concept should be keep

• Unit – all new units will be accessible or visitable
 Design individuality will be maintain
 Multi family units will be added as infill and combined in blocks with single family units
 Visitors entrance will be accessible and face the most dense/high traffic areas
 The unit high should be relative to the surrounding units
 All existing units will be analyzed and renovate if needed
 Units can be clustered to allow for more open space

• Sidewalk – all sidewalks will be surfaced and redeveloped.
 All curbs will be continuous with the next block
 Surface material will be different from lot and street to allow for easy identification
 No stepped areas will be created
 Walking paths will be marked

• Street – the number of principal streets will be reduced.
 All streets will be interconnected; no dead ends or cul-de-sacs
 Pedestrian crossing will be added
 Speed will be reduce in existing roads
 Bike paths will be created
 Green areas will separate the street from the sidewalk
 On street parking will be marked
 Street gutters will be replaced with more efficient elements

These characteristics together with the identified ‘access spaces’ are the tools to develop the intergenerational neighborhoods. These areas need to be redesigned, taking accessibility and the user into account. They need to be an integral part of the design process instead of guidelines and/or standards to meet in order to get a construction/development permit.

As we discussed this topic in an open forum, I had to answer various questions in relation with current standards as ADA and design models as New Urbanism. My answer was simple…current models do not integrate accessibility as a standard for design in which all persons can be equal in the use of all public areas. Plus, ADA and other design guidelines are for multi family complex and public buildings, not for ‘suburban’ residential areas. The intention of my thesis was to start a movement for accessibility in residential areas using existing guidelines together with the ‘access spaces’ and characteristics I identified. I affirm that all communities can allow for independent living in active neighborhoods that are environmentally responsible and functional, if we integrate accessibility into current models and guidelines as a widely agreed on standard regardless of economics and politics. Now it is in our hands, as new architects, the responsibility to integrate these elements in our design projects and to be active advocates for social issues that can be solved through architecture.