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| ONE LIFE, ONE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE ACCESSIBLE IN-BETWEEN |
Talking about community, after months of initial
research and questioning, I can say my place is in
the social issues that can be solved or at least
better with architecture in order to enhance
communities. The community for me is the
combination of physical elements that delimited the
public and private areas and the social interaction
BACKGROUND
aging population. Theories as ‘The seven principles of Universal Design’ were developed by
aging population. Theories as ‘The seven principles of Universal Design’ were developed by
the Center of Universal Design at North Carolina State University in 1997. They understood
current and future necessities and tried to make accessibility a more inclusive method of
design. Ten years later we still struggle understanding their utility and applying them. As
expressed by Covington and Hannah in Access by Design if we look at the history of invention,
we find that most of the important and extraordinary inventions occurred, not because people
were looking for them, but because they were determined to solve a problem which, to them,
was extraordinary. This is the main sense of Universal Design. We are trying to create a more
functional future for every individual. They express that everyone should have access to
everything at all times” (Covington and Hannah 1997, 10).
everything at all times” (Covington and Hannah 1997, 10).
The American Disabilities act defined disability Standards for Accessible Design sets guidelines
for accessibility to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities by individuals with
disabilities. These guidelines are to be applied during the design, construction, and alteration
of such buildings and facilities. The ADA defined disability as three aspects; physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such an
impairment; and/or being regarded as having such an impairment (Null & Cherry 1996, 6).
According to the last census, 49 million Americans are covered under the act and are receiving
assistance from government agencies. These provisions are just the basics to ensure the
quality of life for those with disabilities; permitting them to be independent. For the last
seventeen years, different issues have been discussed in relation with the act’s affordability.
The modifications labeled by it are minimal and increases the value of the building or property.
The lack of independence is one of the aspects why the elderly have to move from their
homes. Another one is their connection with the neighborhood . Many of them have lived in the
areas for more than 20 years. The elderly population has increased with the arrival of the
‘Baby Boomers’ into retirement age. The book Housing for the Elderly presented different
options for senior housing, but still emphasizing on the senior’s preference of staying in their
own homes. For example, Beers explored the impact of a higher life span. He looked into the
necessity of having a home, a relationship with the neighborhood and a safe environment. He
talked about the positions architects should take to understand the clients’ necessities . The
American Institute of Architects “AIA” produced in 1985 Design for Aging: An Architect’s Guide
as an effort to educated architects on topics as disability and the elderly. One of the most
important discussions is the need for designing for all citizens citing, yet an architect designing
for this population must also design for the “worst-case scenario”-for the individual user who is
least able to adapt to his or her environment-as well as for individuals at the “better” end of the
population’s spectrum (AIA 1985, 5). Adaptability is always an important factor in design. We
have to take into consideration past, current and future events that may affect our designs.
Environmental elements also affect design. Currently, many ‘green’ movements are forming in
architecture; they have many names and followers. One of the main concepts they present is
sustainability. Sustainability is a goal that has seeped into design consciousness as a mainly
positive force (Slatin 2003, 144). According to the Environmental Protection Agency EPA
website (EPA 2007) “the common use of the term "sustainability" began with the 1987
publication of the World Commission on Environment and Development report, Our Common
Future. Also known as the Brundtland Report, this document defined sustainable development
as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. This concept of sustainability encompasses ideas,
aspirations and values that continue to inspire public and private organizations to become
better stewards of the environment and that promote positive economic growth and social
objectives. The principles of sustainability can stimulate technological innovation, advance
competitiveness, and improve our quality of life”.
One of the first attempts to incorporate ecological construction and senior citizen occurred in
Roosevelt, New Jersey. The main problem with this project was the dependency on the user for
the green system to work. They conclude that the systems to be used had to be user friendly,
integrated to the design and self operate. The housing area was also affordable . LEED
Neighborhood Development is another example of green design. It integrates the principles of
smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood
design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development's
location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible,
sustainable, development (USGBR, Neighborhood Development 2007, 1).
I think a connection between these terms and references needs to be established in order to
create an accessible community. I plan to do the work and design this community using as a
starting point the different opinions presented above. For me, the neighborhood accessibility is
the only aspect that was not directly explored before and the one I can make the bigger
contribution.
aging population. Theories as ‘The seven principles of Universal Design’ were developed by
the Center of Universal Design at North Carolina State University in 1997. They understood
current and future necessities and tried to make accessibility a more inclusive method of
design. Ten years later we still struggle understanding their utility and applying them. As
expressed by Covington and Hannah in Access by Design if we look at the history of invention,
we find that most of the important and extraordinary inventions occurred, not because people
were looking for them, but because they were determined to solve a problem which, to them,
was extraordinary. This is the main sense of Universal Design. We are trying to create a more
functional future for every individual. They express that everyone should have access to
everything at all times” (Covington and Hannah 1997, 10).
everything at all times” (Covington and Hannah 1997, 10).
The American Disabilities act defined disability Standards for Accessible Design sets guidelines
for accessibility to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities by individuals with
disabilities. These guidelines are to be applied during the design, construction, and alteration
of such buildings and facilities. The ADA defined disability as three aspects; physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such an
impairment; and/or being regarded as having such an impairment (Null & Cherry 1996, 6).
According to the last census, 49 million Americans are covered under the act and are receiving
assistance from government agencies. These provisions are just the basics to ensure the
quality of life for those with disabilities; permitting them to be independent. For the last
seventeen years, different issues have been discussed in relation with the act’s affordability.
The modifications labeled by it are minimal and increases the value of the building or property.
The lack of independence is one of the aspects why the elderly have to move from their
homes. Another one is their connection with the neighborhood . Many of them have lived in the
areas for more than 20 years. The elderly population has increased with the arrival of the
‘Baby Boomers’ into retirement age. The book Housing for the Elderly presented different
options for senior housing, but still emphasizing on the senior’s preference of staying in their
own homes. For example, Beers explored the impact of a higher life span. He looked into the
necessity of having a home, a relationship with the neighborhood and a safe environment. He
talked about the positions architects should take to understand the clients’ necessities . The
American Institute of Architects “AIA” produced in 1985 Design for Aging: An Architect’s Guide
as an effort to educated architects on topics as disability and the elderly. One of the most
important discussions is the need for designing for all citizens citing, yet an architect designing
for this population must also design for the “worst-case scenario”-for the individual user who is
least able to adapt to his or her environment-as well as for individuals at the “better” end of the
population’s spectrum (AIA 1985, 5). Adaptability is always an important factor in design. We
have to take into consideration past, current and future events that may affect our designs.
Environmental elements also affect design. Currently, many ‘green’ movements are forming in
architecture; they have many names and followers. One of the main concepts they present is
sustainability. Sustainability is a goal that has seeped into design consciousness as a mainly
positive force (Slatin 2003, 144). According to the Environmental Protection Agency EPA
website (EPA 2007) “the common use of the term "sustainability" began with the 1987
publication of the World Commission on Environment and Development report, Our Common
Future. Also known as the Brundtland Report, this document defined sustainable development
as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. This concept of sustainability encompasses ideas,
aspirations and values that continue to inspire public and private organizations to become
better stewards of the environment and that promote positive economic growth and social
objectives. The principles of sustainability can stimulate technological innovation, advance
competitiveness, and improve our quality of life”.
One of the first attempts to incorporate ecological construction and senior citizen occurred in
Roosevelt, New Jersey. The main problem with this project was the dependency on the user for
the green system to work. They conclude that the systems to be used had to be user friendly,
integrated to the design and self operate. The housing area was also affordable . LEED
Neighborhood Development is another example of green design. It integrates the principles of
smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood
design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development's
location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible,
sustainable, development (USGBR, Neighborhood Development 2007, 1).
I think a connection between these terms and references needs to be established in order to
create an accessible community. I plan to do the work and design this community using as a
starting point the different opinions presented above. For me, the neighborhood accessibility is
the only aspect that was not directly explored before and the one I can make the bigger
contribution.
