Accessibility of historic heritage reconsidered: The role of topography

Abstract

Accessibility and usability of historical heritage is essential toward the realization of universal/inclusive design. How they can be achieved has been discussed extensively, and an International Standard is already published. Visiting various towns and cities that are designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, however, reminded the author of the importance of the fundamental aspects of their livability – to consider the places not as a tourist destination but as a place where residents live. The author found that many of such towns and cities are up on a hill, because historically one of the essential requirements was to protect themselves from attack and invasion by the enemies, which meant they are not so easily accessible. In the contemporary context, the residents are much older than people have historically assumed. The issue of topography, i.e., ups and downs, therefore, need to be reconsidered for the betterment of everyday life of the residents, not just for tourists from inland and overseas. There have been ideas to overcome the difficulties, and this paper discusses some examples that could perhaps be applied elsewhere. The author will also discuss issues of accessibility and usability of public transportation – planning of itinerary at various occasions revealed the difficulty of finding suitable mode of transportation for those with mobility problems including wheelchair users, particularly in areas where railway systems are less convenient compared to coach buses – most coach buses have luggage area at the bottom, assuming that passengers can climb up stairs to be seated. Such assumptions are no longer valid.

Keywords: Universal Design, Inclusive Design, Accessibility, Livability, Tourism, Cultural Heritage

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1008021