Comparative study of the inclusiveness of the design of open space facilities for visually impaired persons in densely populated cities

 Overview

 

Open spaces, in terms of both environment and facilities, are required by all, particularly in densely populated cities. However, criticisms have been frequently heard that many people with special needs are being directly or indirectly excluded to access open spaces. Among all, it is vital and necessary to ensure that visually impaired persons can access high-quality physical, social, cultural and leisure opportunities in the urban outdoor environment.

 

Through a comparative study in densely populated cities, this project aims (i) to identify key social and cultural issues related to the design of inclusive open space facilities for the visually impaired, with particular reference to the Chinese context; (ii) to generate fundamental theoretical knowledge, insights and suggestions for designing inclusive open space facilities for visually impaired persons; and (iii) to improve understanding of the inclusive public design design and generate research findings for use in future studies. (The project is supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council’s Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme (HSSPFS).

​