Innovative Accessibility is an opportunity to Elevate Public Space
A public square where children of all abilities, including a child using a wheelchair, engage in playful interactions with water fountains. Empathy Retreat—Experience (Source Robert Barlea for AMAIS, 2022)
Accessibility in public spaces should be seen as an opportunity for innovation rather than just a compliance requirement, says Shay Erlich, the Founder of Ready for Access in an interview with MassivArt. Erlich’s advocacy began after becoming disabled in their early 20s, and having to navigate spaces that were not designed for disability. Their work has helped organisations rethink accessibility to help those living with disability to fully engage with and take ownership of public spaces.
Erlich argues that the emphasis should be on creative placemaking, where public spaces are not only visually engaging but also fully accessible. Accessibility needs to be embedded from the start of a project. Erlich also notes accessibility is often designed with only one person in mind so ensuring plans are tailored to diverse experiences is also important.
Long-term accessibility requires ongoing commitment, such as maintaining accessible bathrooms and ensuring that spaces remain functional beyond the initial design phase. Without continued oversight and collaboration with the disability community, accessibility efforts often fail over time.
Erlich points to innovations in accessibility, such as using creative approaches in the arts and leveraging VR technology to make cultural experiences more inclusive. Ready for Access provide training, consultation, and co-design services to help organisations create truly inclusive environments.
People celebrate a birthday party on the planted median of the 34th Avenue Open Street. Credit: Elena Madison.
Project for Public Spaces (PPS), founded in 1975, has worked for decades to help communities improve public spaces through education, planning, and advocacy. To mark its 50th anniversary, PPS conducted a global State of Public Space Survey of over 700 professionals to identify current challenges and opportunities in public space development.
Results highlighted the potential of public spaces to address societal issues like healthcare and disaster relief while emphasising the need for better funding and management strategies. The survey also provided a crucial snapshot of public space conditions.
Of the respondents, 32% believe public spaces do not meet community needs, while 63% believe there is still room for improvement. PPS identify the 7 key areas to focus on: aging infrastructure; bureaucracy; homelessness; access; social isolation; climate change; disinvestment and gentrification
As part of the State of Public Spaces Survey, respondents highlighted 375 inspiring public spaces and placemaking projects worldwide, showcasing the impact of well-designed public areas. These examples reaffirm the vital role of public spaces and the dedication of those working to enhance them.
Successful products are often followed by copycats. Over the past year we have become aware of an increase in reproductions of the Linea range attempting to create a similar aesthetic at a lower price. This can compromise the overall durability and environmental credentials of projects being delivered, affect ongoing maintenance requirements, and in some instances pose a risk of injury to the public. The design of Linea is deceptively simple while delivering exceptional attention to detail. Details matter not only for beauty, but also for providing durability, and safety, that will last decades. Linea strictly uses the highest quality and sustainable materials, has passed rigorous strength tests, and is designed for longevity, with easily replaceable parts. The product range is the result of hundreds of hours of research and development …
Street Furniture Australia’s entire product range and manufacturing operation has received carbon neutral certification through Climate Active™. Achieving carbon neutral certification marks a significant milestone in our operation and the culmination of a four year long process of detailed measurement and analysis. Climate Active™ is the only Australian government-backed carbon neutral certification programme for businesses to measure, reduce, and offsets their carbon emissions. It is one of the most rigorous carbon-neutral programs in the world. An approved Emissions Reduction Strategy (ERS) is central to achieving certification through Climate Active. Street Furniture Australia has elected to use SBTi validated science-based targets to ensure their ERS is meaningful and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement – to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. For those emissions that can’t be …
Our Presentation Specialists, Tiffany and Melissa, bring a fun, interactive and informative workshop to your office. Accredited for 2 AILA CPD points, the experience can be adapted for landscape architect studios and Councils. In 30 minutes (plus Q&A) you will explore materials and finishes, touch and feel samples, and bond with your colleagues over delicious treats in the comfort of your office. There will also be a mystery prize for a lucky winner (optional). ‘The presentation content was informative, engaging, interactive and relevant. Genuinely one of the better supplier workshops! It was efficient yet insightful. The interactive nature of it enhanced engagement with the team,’ Sam Westlake, Senior Associate, Hassell, Sydney. ‘Possibly our favourite product presentation to date! Engaging, great content and appreciated the physical samples and prototypes,’ Alexa Ongoco, …
How climate change is affecting seed dormancy and therefore the regeneration of forests. Also Gensler report on opportunities and challenges for cities.
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, the Park range has been upgraded to offer even greater strength, vandal resistance, accessibility and more.
