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Julian Walker
(University College London)
Mikaela Patrick
(Global Disability Innovation Hub)
Discussants:
Vera Bukachi
(Kounkuey Design Initiative)
Ahmad Rifai
(Yayasan Kota Kita)
John Paul Cruz
(World Enabled and G3ict's Smart Cities for All)
Format:
Panel
Streams:
Urbanisation
Sessions:
Thursday 7 July, -
Time zone: Europe/London
Inclusive planning for more just urban spaces: Starting with disability..
Panel P20 at conference DSA2022: Just sustainable futures in an urbanising and mobile world.
We will reflect on two approaches to co-producing inclusive public spaces (a) using innovative communication technologies to make planning processes more accessible, and (b) starting from the experiences of persons with disabilities, to create public spaces that are more relevant for all users.
Long Abstract:
This panel is intended to act as a space for inclusive urban planning practitioners to reflect on two approaches to creating public spaces that are more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities, and ultimately benefitting all users. Firstly, we will explore how the technologies of planning themselves can be made more inclusive, through using communication tools which make planning processes more accessible, and less hierarchical. Secondly, we will explore how the lived experience of persons with disabilities, and other urban citizens whose experiences are often not properly addressed in public spaces (such as older persons or carers) can be taken as a starting point in planning through inclusive design approaches, rather than being retro-fitted. In doing so we will explore the wider implications and benefits of making the agency of these citizens more prominent in urban planning.
Methodology
Panellists will upload pre-recorded presentations, and participants and attendees will be asked to watch all presentations in advance of the synchronous discussion session. Participants will then be asked to reflect on all of the presentations by responding to a number of cross-cutting questions prepared by the convenors. Each panellist will have 5 minutes to respond. After this, the discussion will be open to the audience with convenors' moderation.
The disability community can be a catalyst for urban transformation. This section discusses how the engagement with people with disabilities has shaped policy tools that are now transforming cities and global organizations in their use of new and emerging information and communication technologies.
Paper long abstract:
In the last half-decade, more and more people with disabilities are co-creating their public spaces in cities across the globe. This section provides an overview of global efforts to engage people with disabilities to develop policy tools used to transform urban spaces. The discussant will showcase a few of these policy tools and how they have been deployed in developed and developing urban spaces. After providing an overview, there will be a discussion of key cities that have been benefiting from the impact of these policy tools, particularly in the use of information and communication technologies. The discussion also highlights the importance of using policy tools within the context of each city or organization. Experiences in applying these tools show that people with disabilities reap the most benefit when global policy tools are localized.
People with disabilities faced healthcare challenges due to shut down of services, inability to access healthcare online, inaccessibility, and reduced financial ability during COVID 19. Disability inclusive assistance, compliance with universal design, holds key to closing the gaps in health care.
Paper long abstract:
Accessing health care services was significantly difficult for people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic globally and in Bangladesh. 'COVID 19 and disability', a qualitative study utilizing distant data collection mode was conducted by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to understand the various impacts of COVID-19 on people with disabilities. Among other areas, the study sheds light on health care access and its impact on people with disabilities during a pandemic. Based on the findings gathered through 60 IDIs and 21 KIIs, this paper reveals that the pandemic has had a significant impact on people with disabilities, who were unable to access and/or benefit from the much needed generalized and specialized health care as well as 'care support' during the pandemic due to reasons as simple as shut down of service centers, and for fear of exposure to COVID-19. The increased cost of living, reduced financial capabilities of households, inaccessible service points and transportation, lockdown, inability to access health care services online, and inadequate use/access to communication technologies by some, have posed immense health care challenges for people with disabilities seeking and or availing health care during the pandemic. Over two-thirds of the IDI participants had literally no scope to play the role of decision-maker about their health care needs. The paper recommends disability-inclusive consultation and planning to close the systemic gaps in health care for people with disabilities, to leave no one behind.
Disability debates within small cities have been sparse. By looking at disability in informal settlements of Eldoret, Kenya, this study explores the lived realities of PwDs based on their informal housing practices thereby defining possible solutions leading to inclusive development
Paper long abstract:
This research paper is aimed at situating the geography of disability within analyses of urban informality for a more nuanced understanding leading to holistic housing improvement initiatives in Eldoret, Kenya. Arguably, there has been a limited scholarly focus on the voices of PwDs in informal settlements in secondary cities of the Global South including Eldoret. Yet, understanding their priorities is critical for a broader and all-inclusive decision-making processes. This study contributes to that understanding from a disability lens through capturing the agency of people with disabilities (PwDs) and the structural forces that make it difficult for them and their families to have decent housing conditions in urban informal settlements. The study draws on critical disability theory (CDT) and intersectionality as the main conceptual underpinnings. Through a qualitative case-study approach, the study explores three informal settlements in Eldoret using interviews, observation, transect walks and document reviews. The research study finds that PwDs encounter frequent evictions due to unsecure tenure, live in small-sized houses that are crowded, have limited housing choices and lastly are rendered homeless in many instances. In espousing these everyday housing experiences of PwDs and by extension their caregivers, the study sheds more light on the disability research agenda leading into sound solutions for nuanced urban processes in the Global South. To this end, the study will imply to policies that are driven towards inclusive housing spaces, which enshrine the agency of PwDs such as slum upgrading initiatives and affordable housing programmes in Kenya and beyond.
Co-designing inclusive cities with people with disabilities is an integral part of just and sustainable futures. This case study on inclusive design and accessibility in Nairobi, Kenya shows the challenges and opportunities for inclusive city design and why people with disabilities must be included.
Paper long abstract:
Co-designing inclusive cities with people with disabilities is an integral part of more just and sustainable futures. People who have been historically marginalised or excluded from participating in urban life, such as people with disabilities, are essential to designing equitable solutions and must be included in urban development processes. This paper will report on the findings of a case study on inclusive design and accessibility in the city of Nairobi, Kenya.
The AT2030 Inclusive Infrastructure sub-programme is conducting research on the current state of accessibility and inclusion in different cities around the world, bringing together key stakeholders who can help shape more inclusive cities: people with disabilities, government and local government stakeholders and built environment professionals. This session will present the findings of the Nairobi case study where through interviews, photo diaries and workshops, participants identified key barriers to inclusive environments and opportunities for inclusive design to support broader inclusion. Barriers included a lack of access to opportunities and assistive technology, inaccessible transport, stigma, and exclusion from social, political and economic aspects of life. Participants identified key themes for intervention including: robust policies and government programmes; equitable, accessible and inclusive transportation; delivery of inclusive design and infrastructure; and freedom, safety and independence in the city. Recommendations will be developed to support inclusive design implementation in Nairobi and the findings will form part of a global action report that illustrates shared challenges and opportunities across the different 'Inclusive Infrastructure' case studies.
Click the star to add/remove an item to/from your individual schedule.
You need to be logged in to avail of this functionality, and to see the links to virtual rooms. Log in
Mikaela Patrick (Global Disability Innovation Hub)
Ahmad Rifai (Yayasan Kota Kita)
John Paul Cruz (World Enabled and G3ict's Smart Cities for All)
Short Abstract:
We will reflect on two approaches to co-producing inclusive public spaces (a) using innovative communication technologies to make planning processes more accessible, and (b) starting from the experiences of persons with disabilities, to create public spaces that are more relevant for all users.
Long Abstract:
This panel is intended to act as a space for inclusive urban planning practitioners to reflect on two approaches to creating public spaces that are more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities, and ultimately benefitting all users. Firstly, we will explore how the technologies of planning themselves can be made more inclusive, through using communication tools which make planning processes more accessible, and less hierarchical. Secondly, we will explore how the lived experience of persons with disabilities, and other urban citizens whose experiences are often not properly addressed in public spaces (such as older persons or carers) can be taken as a starting point in planning through inclusive design approaches, rather than being retro-fitted. In doing so we will explore the wider implications and benefits of making the agency of these citizens more prominent in urban planning.
Methodology
Panellists will upload pre-recorded presentations, and participants and attendees will be asked to watch all presentations in advance of the synchronous discussion session. Participants will then be asked to reflect on all of the presentations by responding to a number of cross-cutting questions prepared by the convenors. Each panellist will have 5 minutes to respond. After this, the discussion will be open to the audience with convenors' moderation.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Thursday 7 July, 2022, -John Paul Cruz (World Enabled and G3ict's Smart Cities for All)
Rifat Shahpar Khan (Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD)) Saklain Al Mamun (Brac Institute of Governance and Development) Taslima Aktar (Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD),Brac University) Lopita Huq (Brac Institute Of Governance And Development (Bigd)) Sagir Hussain Khan (BIGD, BRAC) Afsana Alam (Brac Institute of Governance and Development)
Abraham Mariech (University of Sheffield)
Mikaela Patrick (Global Disability Innovation Hub) Alex Kaluyu (Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa) Eugene Muchai (Zeina Mahmoud) Vera Bukachi (Kounkuey Design Initiative) Gloria Tanui (Kounkuey Design Initiative)