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Assessment of Design Principles in the Residential Buildings for Disabled Persons: A Case Study of Social Housing in Northern Cyprus

Ibtihal Alwi Al Hindwan
Ibtihal Alwi Al Hindwan
 and 
Çilen Erçin
Çilen Erçin
   | Dec 31, 2023
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Published Online: Dec 31, 2023
Page range: 15 - 32
Received: Aug 01, 2023
Accepted: Dec 16, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acee-2023-0047
Keywords
© 2023 Ibtihal Alwi Al Hindwan et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Figure 1.

UD relation diagram [32]
UD relation diagram [32]

Figure 2.

Movement area in the WC and space requirement at the long side of a wheelchair user’s bed [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
Movement area in the WC and space requirement at the long side of a wheelchair user’s bed [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 3.

Measurements of the WC from the front view Universal design principles [32]. [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
Measurements of the WC from the front view Universal design principles [32]. [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 4.

Movement area in a double-space kitchen [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
Movement area in a double-space kitchen [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 5.

Movement area in an L-layout kitchen [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
Movement area in an L-layout kitchen [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 6.

Front view of the standard kitchen measurements [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
Front view of the standard kitchen measurements [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 7.

The transverse layout of entrance area [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
The transverse layout of entrance area [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 8.

Dining area layout for two or four people [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
Dining area layout for two or four people [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 9.

Space requirement in a garage [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
Space requirement in a garage [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 10.

Plan of the lift [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]
Plan of the lift [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Figure 11.

Street view [43]
Street view [43]

Figure 12.

Cross view [43]
Cross view [43]

Figure 13.

Front view [43]
Front view [43]

Figure 14.

Rear view [43]
Rear view [43]

Figure 15.

View from the location [43]
View from the location [43]

Figure 16.

View from the location [43]
View from the location [43]

Figure 17.

Chart representation of the major accessibility challenges the residents face in their neighbourhood (Author, 2022)
Chart representation of the major accessibility challenges the residents face in their neighbourhood (Author, 2022)

Figure 18.

Chart representation of the functional spaces that most of the residents have a problem with (Author, 2022)
Chart representation of the functional spaces that most of the residents have a problem with (Author, 2022)

Figure 19.

The plan of the two flats each with 85m2 (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
The plan of the two flats each with 85m2 (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 20.

Movement area by the bath (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
Movement area by the bath (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 21.

The area of the movement next to the washbasin and WC (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
The area of the movement next to the washbasin and WC (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 22.

Bedroom 1 space for a wheelchair user at the long side of the bed and door measurements (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
Bedroom 1 space for a wheelchair user at the long side of the bed and door measurements (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 23.

Bedroom 2 space for a wheelchair user at the long side of the bed and door measurements (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
Bedroom 2 space for a wheelchair user at the long side of the bed and door measurements (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 24.

The area of movement in the L-layout kitchen (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
The area of movement in the L-layout kitchen (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 25

Circulation (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
Circulation (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 26.

Dining area (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
Dining area (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 27.

The plan of the two flats each with 60 m2 (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
The plan of the two flats each with 60 m2 (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 28.

The movement space in front of the shower and WC, and next to the washbasin (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
The movement space in front of the shower and WC, and next to the washbasin (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 29.

The door size and space alongside the bed (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
The door size and space alongside the bed (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 30.

The space in the kitchen (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
The space in the kitchen (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 31.

Circulation (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
Circulation (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Figure 32.

The space of the dining area (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)
The space of the dining area (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Demographics of respondents (Author, 2022)

Frequency Percentage
Gender
  Male 74 51.4
  Female 70 46.6
Age
  18–30 93 63.7
  31–40 26 17.8
  41–50 13 8.9
  51–60 7 4.8
  61 + 7 4.8
Education
  Bachelor’s degree 88 60.3
  Master's degree 32 21.9
  PhD or higher 26 17.8
Residence
  Nicosia 84 61.8
  Girne 24 17.6
  Mağusa 28 20.6
House Typology
  Bungalow 6 4.1
  Semi-detached house 11 7.5
  Apartment 99 66.4
  Duplex 15 10.3
  Others 17 11.6
Disability
  Yes 20 13.7
  No 126 86.3
Someone to help if disabled
  Yes 39 33.9
  No 76 66.1

Satisfaction rating of the house design features of the residential spaces. Satisfaction Rate on a scale of 1 (Very Poor) to 5 (Very Good) (Author, 2022)

House design features Mean Quality Remark
Type of house 3.35 Fair
Building material 3.36 Fair
Width of doorways 3.38 Fair
Width of hallways 3.36 Fair
Height of windows and doors 3.52 Good
Space for turning of wheelchairs in all rooms (Kitchen, living room, Sitting room) 2.96 Fair
Bedroom (Size, Material, Application, lighting, ventilation etc.) 3.34 Fair
Bathroom (Size, Material, Application, lighting, ventilation etc.) 3.16 Fair
Bathroom layout 3.23 Fair
Kitchen (Size, Material, Application, lighting, ventilation etc.) 3.37 Fair
Living room (Size, Material, Application, lighting, ventilation) 3.58 Good
Lift 3.12 Fair
Handrails 3.26 Fair
Floor coverings 3.29 Fair
Height of switches, sockets and service controls 3.33 Fair
Natural lighting and ventilation 3.28 Fair
Rent/Cost of acquisition 3.01 Fair
Overall quality of house for persons with disability 2.96 Fair

Universal design principles [32]

Principles Guidelines

1. Equity in Usage

The design can be used by everyone with different abilities.

It provides the same type of means to all the users equivalently

It avoids stigmatising any user

Provides safety, security and privacy equally to all people

All the users that use the design find it to be appealing

2. Flexibility in Usage

It takes into consideration the various preferences of the people and also their different capacities

Gives choices in the types of methods to be used

Gives access to both right or left-handed users

Promotes precision and accuracy of the user

It offers adaptation to the paces of the different users

3. Simplicity in Usage

The usage of the design is very simple and easily understandable, despite the users’ type of experience, level of knowledge and language ability.

Eliminates any complexity faced by the user

Always consistent with the expectations of the user

Accommodates different levels of language skills and literacy

Puts information in accordance with its consistency

It provides feedback that is effective during the task and even after completing it

4. Information is Perceptible

It successfully conveys the information to the users, regardless of the settings of their surroundings.

Usage of various modes for presentation. For example, verbal and pictorial

It maximises the information’s legibility

Gives a difference in the way elements can be described

It provides a sense of compatibility using various techniques that are used by individuals who have sensory problems

5. Tolerance of Error

The design decreases the dangers and negative results of actions that are inadvertent or unintentional.

Provide warning when of danger and errors

Well arrange various elements to avoid errors

Provides features of fail safe

Discourage actions that are unconscious in the completion of tasks that need much attention

6. Low Level of Effort

It can be utilized effectively, pleasantly, and with little effort.

Uses operating forces that are reasonable

Reduces sustained physical effort

Reduces actions that are repetitive

Allow users to have a position of the body that is neutral

7. Dimensions and Room for Use and Approach

Irrespective of the type of posture, size or mobility of the person, adequate space and size are given to reach it, handle and use the design.

Provides variations in the hand and the size of the grip

Provide a clear line of sight to those seated and standing

Make the reach to any element easy for both the seated and standing

Provides sufficient space for those users who need assistance or assistive devices

Satisfaction rating of the accessibility features of the residential spaces. Satisfaction Rate on a scale of 1 (Very Poor) to 5 (Very Good) (Author, 2022)

Accessibility features Mean Quality Remark
Location of house/accessibility 3.53 Good
Streets leading to the house 3.25 Fair
The width of the sidewalks leading to the house 3.14 Fair
The surface of the sidewalks leading to the house 3.16 Fair
Curb ramp of the sidewalks 3.05 Fair
Maintenance of the sidewalks 3.10 Fair
Lighting of the streets next to the house 3.27 Fair
Width of the parking space 3.23 Fair
Distance from the car parking space to the house 3.51 Good
Levelled approach to the entrance of the house 3.37 Fair
Ramp gradient to the entrance of the house 3.23 Fair

The size guidelines for flats that have only one person using a wheelchair (Area in m2) (Author, 2022)

Name of the Spaces 1 person 2 people 3 people
Bedroom 16.0 24.0 16.0
Living area 20.0 20.0 22.0
Kitchen 8.0 9.0 9.0
Dining room 6.0 6.0 10.0
Bathroom 6.0 7.0 7.0
Spare room (washing machine) 1.0 1.0 1.0
Corridor 5.0 6.0 6.0
Total area 62.0 73.0 91
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