Housing is one of the basic human rights proclaimed both in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the Constitution of Ukraine. Read more in the exclusive blog for Channel 24 website.
However, many Ukrainians need to improve their living conditions, which would provide them with comfort of movement, as well as guarantee easy access to living space. Accordingly, it is important to adapt many buildings in Ukrainian cities in such a way that everyone, regardless of age, gender and health status, can fully enjoy comfortable living conditions in their home. Let's find out who needs inclusive housing and how this issue is being addressed in Ukraine and the world.
A significant number of Ukrainians need inclusive housing
The term ” inclusiveness” is increasingly heard both in specialized discussions and in daily use, and this is certainly a big plus. However, not everyone fully understands what is behind this definition and who, in fact, needs an inclusive approach.
In a broad sense, the implementation of inclusion is the creation of such conditions that would allow all members of society, without exception, to be equally involved in society. It does not matter whether we are talking about full access to education, equal conditions for career fulfillment, whether integration into public and residential space is equally convenient.
When we talk about inclusive housing, most of us probably have the opinion that this issue only concerns people with disabilities. However, the category of people with limited mobility is much broader than it seems at first glance. Probably, you yourself at one time or another in your life were among them. For example, if you had an injury and for some time were limited in movement. In addition, elderly people, as well as pregnant women and mothers with small children who have to lift baby carriages up stairs every day, certainly need to adapt their living conditions.
However, if we think about the future, it is impossible to ignore the fact that in Ukraine there is already a growing number of people with military experience (in particular, traumatic ones), as well as citizens who have suffered in different ways from Russian military aggression.
< p>Therefore, more than ever, it is necessary to take care of the comfort and convenience of housing, courtyards and urban space in general for such a numerical category of Ukrainians and take into account their needs and requests, restoring damaged houses, building new ones and adapting existing living space.
Inclusive space – what it is
Inclusion in residential and public space is primarily about convenience for every member of society and the versatility of structures. For example, the absence of thresholds, which allows a person in a wheelchair to get to the building without interference, or automatic doors so that small children, mothers with strollers or people with busy bags can also easily enter the house.
In Ukraine, by the way, they have already begun to work in the right direction. So, in 2018, the norms on the inclusiveness of buildings and structures were introduced into the State Building Regulations. Among the most significant changes are the reduction in the number of stairs, ramp-shaped floors, the placement of apartments for people with disabilities at the ground floor level with the ability to go outside and an increase in living space, as well as the adaptation of courtyards and public locations for all categories of citizens.
In the same year, the City Target Program “Kyiv Without Barriers” appeared in the capital, according to which local authorities should take care of improving accessibility in each district and location of the city.
And as in the world: international experience of inclusive housing
In the classical understanding of the universality of buildings and structures for all categories of the population, we are indebted to the American architect Ronald Mays, who began to promote the concept of accessibility in architecture and design so that they are suitable for everyone, regardless of age, social status, gender or health status. It was during his lobbying in the late 80s of the last century that the United States began to design buildings, taking care of their comfort for people with limited mobility.
European cities are actively developing a culture of inclusiveness of the urban environment and housing in particular. Yes, in Rotterdamplanning of large-scale construction works takes place only in cooperation with accessibility specialists. They evaluate the existing construction project and make recommendations for its adaptation in accordance with the needs of citizens with limited mobility. Also, residents or guests of the city themselves can report problems with access to individual locations to the authorities and get a response and a solution to the problem within 24 hours. For example, a quick repair, installation of a ramp or a convenient transition.
In Berlinbegan to introduce a barrier-free and comfortable space planning policy back in 1992. Since then, the city has been thinking over the smallest details, building or reconstructing both public places and residential areas, so that all groups of the population with limited mobility have full access to all infrastructure: from transport stops and train stations with convenient navigation and audio support for people with visual impairments to prescribed requirements for buildings that take into account the free access of all categories of people.
The UK is also known for its inclusive approach to the design of the city and the housing of its citizens. Yes, in Londonstrictly adhere to the principles of accessibility and convenience of space: sidewalks and pedestrian areas do not have high curbs and are widened so that everyone can move comfortably. At the same time, all public transport and even taxis have smooth transitions and wheelchair ramps. There are also separate construction initiatives in the country that are building inclusive homes for vulnerable segments of the population, taking care of their comfort, free access and ease of movement.
Ukraine, as a progressive European state, too transforms its urban infrastructure for the convenience of all citizens, regardless of age, health or gender. Unfortunately, over time, the proportion of people with limited mobility will grow. And although the legislative norms have already undergone changes in the direction of inclusiveness, however, in practice, we still need to make a lot of efforts in order to implement them and make the living space equally convenient for all citizens.
