CABE Foundation collaborates with United Nations ESCAP to conduct a 2-day Training Program for Delhi Municipal Officers to Make Parks and Gardens Inclusive for All through Universal Design

Press Release

New Delhi, 03 Nov 2023 

In an initiative aimed at fostering inclusivity and accessibility for all, a comprehensive training program for municipal officials titled "Making Parks and Gardens Inclusive for All through Universal Design" was held during 02-03 November 2023 in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The program was a collaborative effort between the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Delhi (SCPD), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), and the Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment Foundation (CABE Foundation). The UNESCAP and the CABE Foundation spearheaded and conducted the training program.

Inaugural Session of the 2 day training. Seen on the dias, Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, Director CABE Foundation, speaking; and seated on dias (from left to right) Mr. TD Dhariyal, ED, CABE Foundation; Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, Director of the Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, United Nations ESCAP ; Mr. Amit Kumr Sharma, Addl Commisioner (Horticulture)MCD; Air Cmde Ranjan Mukherjee, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and Dr. Alok Singh, Director in Chief (Horticulture), MCD.

This training program was designed to address the pressing issue of accessibility in public spaces for diverse users particularly persons with disabilities, with a special focus on parks and gardens. The program itinerary included an array of sessions covering various aspects of inclusive park design and understanding the specific needs of individuals with disabilities. It also delved into international and national frameworks for disability inclusion.

Mr. TD Dhariyal speaking

Mr. TD Dhariyal, Executive Director of the CABE Foundation, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of making public spaces more inclusive and accessibility directly relates to ensuring dignity of an individual with disability.  He also stated that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 has clear mandate to ensure accessibility in public spaces and strict provisions for contravention.

Mr. Amit Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture), MCD, in his opening address exhorted the participants to be more empathetic to the needs of seniors, women, children and person with disabilities. 

Dr. Alok Singh speaking

Dr. Alok Kumar Singh Director in Chief, Horticulture in his address highlighted the MCD's commitment to the cause and to take forward the learnings from the program to make measurable changes on the ground to enhance accessibility and usability of their diverse parks. Mr. RK Singh and Mr. Ashish Priyadarshi, both Directors Horticulture were also pressent and played an important role in organsing the present training program.

Air Cmde Ranjan Mukherjee addressing

Air Commodore Ranjan Mukherjee VSM (Retd), State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, GNCT of Delhi underscored the significance of diversity inclusion in built environment as disability could happen to anyone any time and our infrastructure needs to gear up to meet the needs of its users. He shared several of his case judgements on the subject.

Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, Director of the Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, United Nations ESCAP, provided international insights and perspectives particularly the compendium prepared by the UN ESCAP on the subject containing best practices from Asia and Pacific countries.  Ms. Li Stephanie Choo, Social Affairs Officer, UN ESCAP and Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, Director CABE Foundation conducted the technical training. The training was based on the ESCAP Quick Guide and Compendium on Designing and Retrofitting Inclusive Public Parks and the Indian standards on accessibility of built public spaces.   

Ms. Mikiko Tanaka delivering her address

Following the opening ceremony, participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions, covering topics such as "Who are our users?" and "Technical features of inclusive park design." The first day classroom training followed with a site visit to Shaheedi Park at the ITO, a new park developed by the MCD, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios. 

The participants divided in to six groups conducted access survey of the Shaheedi park. Each group had one wheelchair user and one person simulating vision impairment exploring the park infrastructure and facilities. The groups presented their findings and recommendations to enhance accessibility of Shaheedi Park during the training program. Many participants expressed that if they had such a session before, their parks would have been more inclusive today. 

Participants at the Shaheedi Park for site visit

Most of them were happy that such a session took place which widened their knowledge spectrum and made them empathise and think inclusive in their work. The program saw participation from Horticulture, Civil Engineering and Education departments of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Speaking on the side lines of the training program, Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, Director of the Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment Foundation said, “We wanted to develop empathy in the municipal officials about the needs of persons with disabilities and also equip them with the Universal Accessibility standards so that they are able to incorporate the inclusivity from the design stage itself. The simulation exercise helped them understand and empathize”.

Participants undertaking simulation exercises.

This collaborative initiative reflects a commitment to creating an environment where public spaces are welcoming and accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. By addressing the challenges of inclusivity, the program aimed to contribute to a more equitable society where all citizens can enjoy and benefit from public parks and gardens.

This partnership will see development of Shaheedi Park as a model accessible theme park in Delhi and also to ensure that new parks under conceptualisation or development are fully accessible to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities, seniors, children, women alike. Sensory gardens, inclusive play spaces and inclusive facilities in the parks such as accessible toilets, enhanced accessibility of neighbourhood parks is also on the cards.

Fig. Training session in progresss in the Sabhagar 

For more information about the training program and its objectives and for media inquiries, please contact: Subhash Chandra Vashishth, Director, Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment Foundation, info@cabefoundation.com.

Visit our Facebook Page for more pictures.

 

Govt. of India calls entries for International Design Competition for Development of State of the Art Railway Stations [Closing Date 12 Jan 18]

Dear Colleagues,

IRSDC [A Special Purpose vehicle is a Joint Venture company of Ircon International Limited (a Govt. of India Undertaking, under Ministry of Railways) and Rail Land Development Authority (a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways)] is organizing a competition for award of consultancy services towards Preparation of Station Development Plans for three (3) identified railway stations at Nagpur, Gwalior and Beiyappanhalli (Bengaluru) across India. 

It is inviting Multi Disciplinary teams of experts/ consultants to participate in International Design Competition for selection of schemes for Station Development Plans of these stations.

This Two Stage Design Competition is one of its kind for India, where interdisciplinary participation is sought for regenerating public infrastructure. It invites proposals that rationalize and integrate inputs of urban design, architecture, environment, landscape, public space, mobility network, financing et al for station area improvement.

Design Vision

1. The competition seeks ideas to revitalize railway stations and its precincts by improving amenities and exploring options for property development. The intervention is expected to create examples for financially viable projects.
2. The combined design visions for 3 selected Stations include.
3. Design solutions to improve urban aesthetics and be based on principles of Transit Oriented Development/ Smart Urbanism.
4. Design solutions to explore alternative scenarios of land use mix to arrive at suitable sizing of development taking into account its impact on traffic and other infrastructure requirements either existing or proposed by the competitors.
5. Design solutions to propose architectural schemes to encourage Private Partnership for Redevelopment of Stations.
6. Design solutions to integrate elements in the precinct coherently so as to maximize functionality of urban space on a daily basis.
7. Design solutions to propose multi-modal integration to allow seamless interchange between various modes of transport from stations to all parts of the city.
8. Design solutions to promote and improve connectivity, pedestrian mobility and active public life in station precinct .
9. Design solutions must reinforce pride and ownership among stakeholders.
10. Design solutions to be innovative and explore relevant opportunities for value addition.
11. Design solutions to uphold historic significance and environmental properties of the context.
12. Design solutions to be practical, buildable and financially viable Station areas.
13. Design solutions to meet energy efficient- green building principles.

Stages of the Competition :

The competition will be conducted in two stages:

Stage-1

Schematic Design Stage (Ideas Competition-open for both Category participants) – will initially seek broader ideas about the respective station areas. Participants are expected to project how a station and its surrounding area could support people-oriented, thriving and vibrant urban center.

 Stage-2

Detail Design Stage (Detailed design competition between Category-1 winners of Stage-1) – implementable design schemes for station areas and other facilities will be sought from Category-1 winners of Stage-1. These should be intelligent, sensitive, and highly functional designs to adequately capture land value. The design of the regenerated Railway Stations should be balanced, i.e. architecturally ambitious, intelligently frugal, financially viable and beneficial for all stakeholders and users.

Design Principles

Entries will be reviewed for compliance with key Design Principles, and the response to these will form a significant component of the evaluation. Design Principles include:

a. Identity and context

The competition seeks designs that will assist in improving the identity of respective Stations in the broadest possible way. It is desired that the winning design will be a positive place to use, stay or pass through, will be a significant landmark for the area and will act as a positive gateway element for the respective cities. The design must make a positive contribution to its location and engender a sense of civic pride. The cultural context – setting, landscape, built history, memory, indigenous cultural conditions, understanding of the past, and continuity into the future – should all inform the design outcome. A good design proposition will add value by making the most of the site, its surroundings and their opportunities.

b. Site design

The concept must propose a well-designed use of the site, and respond appropriately to factors including orientation, natural light, maintenance and servicing. A built form and site movement strategy that works positively with the site topography is essential. Visibility, lighting, signage and way finding will all be important factors.

c. The public realm and urban fabric

The design must contribute to its place by careful integration into the existing urban fabric. Designs should create a distinct urban character and sense of place which complement the identity of respective cities and adjacent projects and other citywide strategies, without cliché.

d. The organisational diagram

A succinct organisational diagram must underlie the design concept, with intuitive patterns of movement that invite pedestrian activity within and through the site. Connections and networks beyond the site should be identified and strengthened.

e. Station area mobility aspects

• Railway station being a transit hub, design of operational areas and comprehensive planning for mobility, access and circulation is of utmost priority. Following are some key aspects:
• Station access and dispersal transport system from different parts of city
• Multimodal integration at station with all motorized/ non-motorized modes including integration with neighbouring communities
• Adequate parking arrangement for public and private vehicles
• Segregation of pedestrian and vehicular movement. Within vehicles segregation of public and private vehicles
• Seamless transfer of passengers entering into and exiting from the station
• Circulation system which facilitates segregation of vehicles and faster and safe flow of passengers
• Segregating of non- terminal use (office, retail etc.) traffic with terminal traffic
• Surrounding network circulation and traffic management plan to account for terminal generated traffic including entry/exit planning

f. Form, massing, appearance

The concept must propose an attractive and well-considered addition to its place, and indicate appropriate relationships with regard to scale, form, mass, materials, finish and function of all elements. The re-visioned site must mediate between the station and rest of the respective city.

g. Functional planning

Clarity and intelligence in the planning and spatial arrangements of all spaces and elements of the design must be evident, together with demonstrated understanding of amenity and convenience.

h. Use of resources

The design must take account of environmental issues in an effort to be less resource intensive. Considerations include orientation, light, energy, water, waste and the proposition of inbuilt flexibility. The stations should aim to meet highest standards of IGBC Green Building ratings for similar projects. IRSDC aims that the Station Development achieves platinum rating based on the IGBC rating systems for Green Railway Stations.

j. Safety and security

The re-envisioned place must be designed to be used safely (both day and night) and to offer the perception of safety to its users. Designs should embed qualities that contribute to public safety including improved sightlines, informal outlook and natural surveillance, positive way finding and appropriate lighting initiatives.

k. Materials

The materials for the new Station will need to create a positive user experience, yet remain robust and suitable for their use (and without unacceptably high or expensive maintenance requirements) to deal with the tough conditions associated with such a public infrastructure project.

l. User Perspective

The user perspective should be manifest throughout the design, with the design recognizing and responding to the needs of all users. This includes universal design for people of all ages and abilities, travelling by any mode as well as those seeking to cross the rail line.

m. Community Priorities

In general all stakeholders and local community, aspire that the station precinct be safe, vibrant, sustainable, accessible and connected, comfortable, convenient, with an inspiring design that is reflective of respective cities.

Last Date for Registration extended to :  12 January 2018

For details of Eligibility Criteria and conditions of registration and  closing dates etc. and please visit  Innovate.MyGovt.in  

News item :  Railways seeks ideas from architects, students to give Byappanahalli station a new look

CABE partners for "Inclusive Cities Workshop - 2016" with JMI University, Delhi, India during [19-20 Dec 2016]

Dear Colleagues,

CABE India was a proud partner with Jamia Milia Islamia University for the "Inclusive Cities Workshop 2016" held on 19-20 December 2016 at New Delhi, India.

This workshop brought together international and national urban thought leaders and researchers to share their work in making cities inclusive. The impressive list of speakers at the Workshop included Ms. Åsa Vagland, Dr Sylvia Nagl, Mr. Jan Nederveen, Prof. Kotaro Nakamura, Director & Professor, School of Art + Design, San Diego State University (SDSU), California, U.S.A. Dr. Shiela Mitra Sarkar, Dr. Anvita Arora, MD & CEO, Innovative Transport Solutions (iTrans), Dr. P. Partheeban, Prof. & Dean (Academic), St. Peter’s College of Engineering and Technology, Avadi, Chennai, Dr. Sudhir Krishna, IAS, Former Secretary Urban Development, Government of India, Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, Advocate Disability Rights & Founder CABE India, Dr Juin Dutta, Dr. Nalini Thakur, Professor, Architectural Conservation, SPA Delhi, Col Anuj Srivastava (Retd), visiting Faculty, Amity University among several others. Detailed list of speakers & their profile is available at Our Speakers.  

A promotional Poster of the Workshop

Designing Cities for All: It was felt that Cities could never be planned or designed in the studios. Cities are organic and the needs are often not frozen in time when the design was created. Moreover, cities around the world are facing challenges of economic downturns, climate changes, population migration from war zones and other conflicts around the world. While we stand together to provide affordable housing, education, food security, access and safety to all, we also need to be cognizant that there are limited resources that need to be used creatively and wisely. 

Dr. Sudhir Krishna, IAS, Former Secy, UD, GOI speaking

A session at the workshop in progress

Gender Friendly Cities: As women bear the burden of socio-economic disparities and the lack of access to resources force them to be entrenched in cycles of poverty, its crucial that a gender supportive infrastructure in created in urban &  rural areas. We need to create sustainable solutions for our villages & cities that reduces excessive migration from rural India. 

Walkability: Every person irrespective of social status/ economic status, is a pedestrian first. Lack of accessible & safe pedestrian facilities discourage walkability which is directly related to not just independence & road safety but also to health & active living styles. Safety, dedicated lanes & climatic conditions do play a role in promoting walking & cycling as preferred mobility options. The cities need to look at these factors too to make non-motorized transports like cycling & walking for short distance travel.

Dr. Sheila Mitra Sarkar, Dr. Kulsum Fatima & other Speakers with Mr. SC Vashishth at the Workshop

Inclusive Cities: The workshop presented an opportunity for researchers and professionals, to hear from professionals in India and around the world who have made a difference and moved towards making the concept of 'an inclusive city' a reality -a city that supports sustainable transport, conservation of resources, most importantly, access to water while empowering the under-served. The workshop also gave an opportunity to students and urban thought leaders to brainstorm and discuss how we can make cities more inclusive. Workshop speakers were researchers, lawyers, sociologists, artists, musicians, activists, community organisers and socially-conscious young professionals who have realised that our future progress depends on creating inclusive cities.

Accessibility: Persons with disabilities & seniors face acute challenges of accessibility in built environments, services, attitudes of society in every day lives, hence feel excluded. No city can be inclusive if it claims growth and development sans its elders & disabled residents. Best practices in these areas were shared & discussed. Mr. Vashishth made a detailed presentation titled "Accessibility in Built Environment for an Inclusive & Smart Habitat in India". 

A Team from AADI consisting of Mr. Muthuswami,
Ms. Darshana Khir  & others with Mr. SC Vashishth

In addition, an Access Study Tour of the University was undertaken under guidance of Mr. SC Vashishth along with user-groups from Action for Ability Development & Inclusion (AADI) for the benefit of Workshop participants. 

Join our Community Page on Facebook Page - Inclusive Cities  & CABE Foundation, India

Singapore BCA's Universal Design Mark 2016 Award for Inclusive Design to 25 projects

Dear colleagues,

The Housing Board Project SkyVille@Dawson has bagged  the Singapore's Building & Construction Authority's (BCA) highest award for inclusive design.

The housing estate in Dawson Road is one of three Platinum winners of the BCA Universal Design Mark 2016, and among 25 total winners that range from residential projects to malls and parks.

The housing project has many Universal Design & User Friendly features from ramps incorporated into main routes around the estate to the large light switches that are easy to reach within flats.

"Universal design is about addressing the needs of as many people as possible, including persons with disabilities and the elderly," said BCA's acting group director for building plan and management, Mr Teo Orh Hai.

This includes physical features such as ramps and corridors wide enough for wheelchairs, as well as facilities catering to all ages, such as playgrounds that incorporate fitness facilities for older adults.

Universal design also extends to subtler touches such as large, clear signs to help people find their way around, sheltered walkways and adequate seating.

For instance, at Bedok Mall and Bedok Residences - a Gold Plus winner - a large canopy links various forms of transport, from the MRT station and bus interchange to bicycle parking. Plenty of seating is also available throughout the integrated mall and private apartments, giving shoppers and residents places to rest.

Winners received their awards at the annual BCA Awards ceremony on May 26, 2016 at Resorts World Sentosa.

Brief about BCA's Universal Design Awards

To encourage of Universal Design, the BCA initiated the annual BCA UD Awards in 2007 to accord recognition to stakeholders for incorporating user-friendly features in their developments. The BCA UD Awards was replaced by the BCA UD Mark certification scheme in October 2012. 

About the BCA UD Mark Certification Scheme

The BCA UD Mark is a voluntary certification scheme launched in October 2012 as an initiative to raise the bar on UD adoption in developments.  Since its inception, 94 awards had been given out to deserving projects. 

This initiative accords recognition to developments and stakeholders that adopt a user-centric philosophy in their design, operations and maintenance. It also aims to raise greater public awareness towards user-friendly buildings. This scheme allows assessment of projects at design stage, thereby, facilitating the incorporation of UD principles from the onset of project development.

A built development is awarded a display plaque, indicating one of the four UD Mark ratings: Certified, Gold, GoldPLUS or Platinum. For on-going projects, UD Mark ratings is determined based on design and indicated as Certified (design), Gold (design) or GoldPLUS(design). 

Benefits of the UD Mark

The BCA UD Mark identifies and distinguishes developments that have gone beyond meeting minimum standards. With the impending silver tsunami, the recognition of best practices in enhancing accessibility and user-friendliness within the development provides the following benefits:

• Improves competitiveness by meeting the varying needs of diverse user groups
• Increase in the number of potential visitors to the development, thereby, generating greater sales and revenue
• Generates a positive effect on the corporate image

Source: Straitstimes 

More about SkyVille's housing project : First batch of SkyVille at Dawson residents receive their keys