The purpose of the project was to create guidelines for accessibility and an information system that makes it possible to evaluate the accessibility of municipal outdoor spaces. Accessibility criteria are defined and alternative solutions are offered for the purposes of planning, building and maintaining an accessible outdoor environment. The external user interfaces of the information system will be browser-based.

SuRaKu guidebook contains the criteria, with which the accessibility of outdoor spaces can be assessed and directed. It has instructions based on model designs and criteria that can be applied to the design of public outdoor spaces.

General instructions are provided for the design, construction and maintenance of accessible public areas. In the criteria charts and guidelines, recommendations are also provided for special-level areas more challenging from the standpoint of accessibility. To facilitate design and construction, a target level is first specified for the area, route or location.

Accessibility is part of the Helsinki city and administrative bodies' financial and operational planning. The objective of the project is to create a functional outdoor environment. The city's public areas and buildings as well as public transport will be made accessible and safe for everybody.

The SuRaKu project is part of the Innovative City® Program.

The objective is to make Helsinki city's public areas and buildings as well as public transport accessible and safe for everybody, e.g. the disabled, the elderly and families with young children. Various user groups are taken into account in the initial stage, both in implementation and environmental maintenance.

The project makes proposals for appropriations for repairs and designs that promote accessibility of outdoor spaces.

Helsinki University of Technology, Research Institute for Health Care Facilities - Sotera
Finland
http://www.sotera.fi/
Ms. Satu Åkerblom, tel. +358 9 451 4453

28/02/2005

The project group: Pirjo Sipiläinen, Irma Verhe and Satu Åkerblom.

research

Urban Policy > Transport and infrastructure > Services & amenities

Public space