05 | Design of the public realm

Design of the public realm

It is not just homes, but also the neighbourhoods where people live that have a significant role in keeping people well and independent. The public realm needs to be secure, accessible, inclusive, connected, easy to understand and maintain, if it is to support independent living. To achieve this the development of sustainable neighbourhoods should be guided by considering people’s diverse needs and abilities throughout the design process, which reflects the life cycle approach, and environments that meet the needs of all can be achieved. [The Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas Guidelines]
Source: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority, Universal Guidelines for Homes in Ireland, 2015.

Developing sustainable neighbourhoods should be guided by the principle of Universal Design. Universal Design is the design of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. By considering people’s diverse needs and abilities throughout the design process, which reflects the life cycle approach, environments that meet the needs of all can be achieved. In this way, sustainable design and Universal Design are inextricably linked and sustainable design when incorporated from the early stage of planning integrated neighbourhoods, will reduce the need for costly and wasteful retrofits over the medium to long term.

Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Developments in Urban Areas (Cities, towns and Villages).

Source: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, National Disability Authority, Universal Guidelines for Homes in Ireland, 2015.

REFERENCES AND WEBSITES

The following guides, standards and reports provide information on designing the public realm in a way that ensures that it can be accessed and enjoyed by all: