5.1 Public Realm Design Guidelines
Accessibility
The quality of the buildings, streets and spaces of a city affects
the quality of life for all groups in society. Therefore, the design
of any development must be sensitive to the needs of users with
disabilities, parents with young children and the elderly.
The Sheffield Accessible Environment Strategy states that “a person
is not disabled until society sets a pattern of behaviour or a template
for the design of its buildings and spaces that excludes them”.
For an urban space to be successful it must be safe and accessible
for all user groups.
The design principles for improving the quality of the public realm
and the built form for all users have been outlined below in terms
of ‘The Street and Movement’ and ‘The Built Form and Access’. However,
the overall guiding principle must be to ensure that disabled groups
are consulted.
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Dropped kerb at a pedestrian crossing |
Ramps make building accessible to all
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Disabled car parking
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The Street and Movement
The design requirements of any street are as follows :
- Pavements and walkways should be of a sufficient width to allow
the unimpeded passage of wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- Pedestrian walkways must provide a dropped/sloping kerb to ensure
easy and safe crossings points.
- Street furniture should not reduce the width of the pavement
to a degree that the movement of wheelchair users and pushchairs
is impeded.
- Street furniture should be strategically placed at regular intervals
in order to provide a degree of legibility for the visually impaired.
- Where possible, signs should be located within the reach of
the pedestrian and have tactile lettering.
- Signs should consist of clear text and pictograms which contrast
with the background to ensure clarity and legibility.
- Stepped areas must ensure that a suitable alternative is provided
for disadvantaged users in the form of a ramp.
- Lighting should ensure visual acuity and provide security for
all users.
- Any manhole covers should be flush with adjoining surfaces.
The Built Form and Access
From 2004, The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) will incorporate
regulations which require building owners/occupiers to provide dignified
access for disabled users. It is essential that new developments
integrate such access at the design stages.
- For existing buildings, changes in level between the street
and ground level should, wherever possible, be accommodated within
the building envelope to avoid ramps projecting onto the footway.
- Steps should not be used as the key focus of important desire
lines as this creates visual barrier to disadvantaged users.
- Whenever possible, entrances should be at grade to limit any
adverse effects on the visual and physical quality of the streetscape.
Where entrances are not at grade ramps and stairs with suitable
rest platforms and handrails should be incorporated. Ramps should
have small kerbs on exposed sides to ensure the safety of the
user.
- Doors to buildings should be of adequate width to allow wheelchair
users easy access. Wherever possible automatic doors are preferred.
If not possible, consideration must be given to the opening direction
and force required to open it to ensure that it can be operated
by all user groups.
- Disabled car parking spaces should always be provided even in
areas where private cars are normally prohibited. Parking spaces
should be on level ground as close to facilities and amenities
as possible. Wherever possible, covered parking should be provided
to ensure the comfort of the user.
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