BCA launches universal design initiatives
SINGAPORE – Moving beyond basic barrier-free accessibility for wheelchair-users, three new initiatives were announced by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) aimed at incorporating Universal Design (UD) concepts to make Singapore’s built environment more inclusive and accessible to all, including families with young children and the elderly.
Senior Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Lee Yi-Shyan speaking at the launch of BCA’s first Singapore Universal Design Week. Photo: Laura Philomin
SINGAPORE – Moving beyond basic barrier-free accessibility for wheelchair-users, three new initiatives were announced by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) aimed at incorporating Universal Design (UD) concepts to make Singapore’s built environment more inclusive and accessible to all, including families with young children and the elderly.
Speaking at the launch of BCA’s first Singapore Universal Design Week today (Nov 5) Senior Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Lee Yi-Shyan noted the importance of UD in facilitating movement for seniors in buildings to enable them to age actively through post-retirement work.
The new initiatives include encouraging building owners of existing commercial buildings in the CBD to improve barrier-free accessibility by installing ramps, accessible toilets, wider passageways and hearing enhancement systems at information counters or auditoriums for persons with hearing aids.
A new UD Mark Certification Scheme for Parks and Public Spaces - in collaboration with National Parks Board - will also be introduced to extend UD concepts to these spaces.
In anticipation for greater demand for expertise in UD, the BCA also aims to train 400 professionals for the built environment by 2015. The BCA Academy has started running its Certification Course of Universal Design Assessor in July 2012 and has already trained 295 professionals.
Designing a more inclusive city will also enable persons with disabilities to be productive and full members of society by maximising their potential, while at the same time removing physical barriers for families with young children, said Mr Lee.
In addition to the three initiatives, the BCA has also launched a new “Friendly Building Search” mobile application for users to access information about accessibility and user-friendliness of more than 2,800 buildings.
An extension of BCA’s Online Friendly Building Search developed this year, the app will rate buildings in five levels of accessibility.
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