August 14, 2024
In the current conditions of war, we need to change our approach to inclusion in Ukrainian society. After all, it is no secret how the harsh reality has affected children and adults in our country. The reconstruction of Ukraine must rapidly improve living conditions, taking into account the needs of each individual. A great responsibility rests with developers, as they must take into account all European regulatory and legal requirements in the planning and construction process.
According to the results of the latest survey conducted by an independent monitoring agency, 83% of Ukrainians believe that accessibility should become a new value for us today. Back in April 2019, new state building codes came into force regarding the creation of a barrier-free space in Ukraine for people with limited mobility. But at that time, there was not yet such a massive demand for inclusivity in all areas of life, so the process of changing building standards moved very slowly. Now, many severely wounded war veterans and families who have suffered greatly and been injured in the bombing of their homes are returning to civilian life. They all need a dignified and comfortable life that takes into account all their specific needs.
In the civilized world, inclusion has long been the norm in the development of educational programs, the design of buildings, and the development of other areas of life. However, Ukraine is only beginning to promote the need for barrier-free spaces in construction, public infrastructure, education, medicine, and other areas. Therefore, it is important for everyone (especially developers responsible for the comfort of Ukrainians) to realize that it is not necessary to somehow adapt inclusion to everyday life, but rather to enter into an inclusive environment.
How to build housing and take into account the needs of each person
To build inclusive housing that takes into account all the needs and characteristics of each person, developers should consider the following steps:
- Consultation with experts. Developers must collaborate with urban planners, architects, designers, and representatives of public organizations that work with people with disabilities. Such a team of experts will help design a building that meets all the requirements and needs of future owners.
- Inclusive design. The design of the building and the surrounding area must be developed in such a way that the movement and life of homeowners is unhindered and functional. Attention should be paid to spatial planning, accessibility of entrances, suitability of bathrooms, and adaptability of kitchens and furniture.
- Integration of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. In the construction of inclusive housing, energy-saving materials should be used and alternative renewable energy sources should be installed. Then, in cases of frequent power outages, the residents of this particular building will not experience discomfort and restrictions, because everything will continue to function.
- Smart technologies and automation. The building should be equipped with a “Smart Home” control system. It automates all the appliances in the house as much as possible. You can control it with your voice or smartphone. This practice is extremely common around the world.
- Barrier-free landscaping. Playgrounds, walkways, recreation areas, and parking lots should be barrier-free. It is best if the slopes of the landscape are at a gentle angle and have underground parking lots. A striking example is the premium complex Hyde Park in Lviv. It has underground parking, convenient landscaping, and park areas.
- Provision of infrastructure facilities. It is very important for the developer to take care to create a small microdistrict. Schools, kindergartens, shops, fitness centers, entertainment centers, and parks should all be within walking distance for residents, as is the case in the residential complex “Mistechko Pidzamche. Vezha” in the center of Lviv: it has its own infrastructure, including its own school.
By taking these features into account at the design stage, the developer will be able to achieve considerable success in creating a barrier-free Ukraine.
Principles of inclusive design
Inclusive design must first and foremost serve the function of comfort, and only then aesthetics and harmony. So let's look at its basic principles:
- Flexibility and adaptability to use. Since design must satisfy different preferences and needs, the developer and designer must develop variable, flexible, and modular variations of spaces. This means that people should be able to easily adapt their space to suit their needs.
- Equality in use. The space should be designed in such a way that it does not discriminate against users because of their characteristics.
- Ease of use. The design of inclusive housing should be easy to understand for anyone, regardless of their age, language, preferences, and abilities.
- Tolerance for mistakes. The space should be designed in such a way as to minimize the risk of injury and not cause fatigue.
Few people pay attention to ensuring inclusive design in a space. But they should, because it is the main way to create comfortable and safe living conditions for building owners.
Inclusive environment in Ukraine and the world
An inclusive environment is a set of conditions for the participation of all people in public life, regardless of their different characteristics. Ukraine began its journey toward ensuring an inclusive environment from complete rejection of people with special needs to adapting certain areas of life to the specific needs and characteristics of different people. Today, Ukraine is on the threshold of a new stage—true inclusion, when space in the environment is created from the outset to be universal, safe, and comfortable for all people without exception.
