DISORDER IN DAILY BUILT ENVIRONMENT

When we look around, we see generally the built environment designed for ordinary people. But, according to the statistics of the World Health Organization 10 per cent of the total world population are disabled. Today, even in developed countries, disabled people’s mobility is restricted because of the inadequately designed environment.

Most of the designer (architect, urban designer, interior architect, landscape designer etc.) organize the environment according to some cliché dimensions which come from Euclidian geometry based on classical conceptions of the fit and able body. In this conception, as explained by Le Corbusier, human body is a module of a normal body to construct both interior and exterior environment. He considered his creation called “modular man” which get to the root of ancient times golden proportion and divine order. But, there is a challenge in this conception searching the perfect dimensions of human body since it is not as unique as described by these geometrical formulas.

Design is a process that organises the ordinary world according to people’s needs. If the real world is not the same with this explanation, it is not a design fault. The reason is, lack of legislation and local authority’s control and designer’s point of view.  Actually, there are a lot of design tools which may create a barrier-free built environment.

This matter is also a part of spatial identity. Generally, if the environment does not fit the person, life becomes boring and difficult. People tend to insocialize and refuse to join the society. Therefore, most of disabled people feel alone and hesitate to participate daily living.

This paper tries to show how public buildings and open spaces are suitable for disabled people in the case of Istanbul. In this respect, 25 public buildings, 3 main city squares and 4 means of transport are examined according to Suisse standards. It is observed that with small additions to built-up area, most of the places will become suitable for disabled people. Design has the power to solve this problem even in historical areas by the help of new technology. But, in the case of Istanbul, although the buildings constructed with high technology, some details are not solved for disabled people’s accessibility or there are some facilities out of standard (e.g. high sloppy ramps, narrow lift etc.) Thus, designer’s perception for people’s needs might be questioned. Designer should think again on this subject “who are the users of this environment?” This paper also discuss designer’s approach to this social problem. In short, designer must be the “leader” on this matter.

Selected Bibliography:

Imrie, R., 2003, "Architects’ Conceptions of the Human Body”, Environment and Planning D, Vol.21,pp.47-65

Imrie, R. and Hall, P., 2001, “An Exploration of Disability and the Development Process”, Urban Studies, vol.38, pp. 231-237

Sürmen, Ş., 2004, Ben Sa-kat-lan-dım, Nüans Arma Yayınları, Istanbul