Focus on Universal Design rather than classic accessibility

A solid knowledge base is crucial for success or failure when the Toveshøj public housing area in western Aarhus is to be developed on the basis of the principles of universal design and in this way ensure and support the diversity of the population of which the area consists — now and in the future. Therefore, the stated goal of the project is to change the focus of the process to thinking in universal design rather than the classic accessibility.

This will partly take place in a phase 1, where the researchers will be very close to the actors involved in the transformation of the area; it involves, among other things, a mapping of important actors such as Landsbyggefonden and Brabrand Boligforeningen's existing work processes and an analysis of the area around and the plans for Toveshøj.

This knowledge must become a process tool whose ambition is to ensure that development takes place with a universal design in mind — both in the concrete project in Toveshøj and in future projects. In this way, the project falls within the ambitions underlying the partnership between the National Building Fund and the Bevica Foundation, which is about how we fulfil the vision of universal design becoming an integral part of the way in which the general sector renovates, builds and designs homes and urban areas.

The project also supports the common vision for the partnership, says Camilla Ryhl, Research Director at the Bevica Foundation, who was part of the working group that selected the project.

“The project speaks to all parts of our vision, which is about lifting the entire general sector on the knowledge of universal design. At the same time, the project develops a tool that will strengthen the process of working with universal design,” says Camilla Ryhl.

DKK 986,451 has been allocated from the partnership to the project in the period from 1 November and two years ahead.

The project is carried out by Masashi Kajita of the Royal Academy of Architecture, Design and Conservation in collaboration with Roberta Cassi, Emil Ballegaard, Anne-Kathrine Frandsen, Turid Borgestrand Øien, Leif Olsen, Leif Hemming Pedersen.