Assessment of Design Principles in the Residential Buildings for Disabled Persons: A Case Study of Social Housing in Northern Cyprus

Al Hindwan, Ibtihal Alwi; Erçin, Çilen

doi:10.2478/acee-2023-0047

Figures & Tables

Movement area in the WC and space requirement at the long side of a wheelchair user’s bed [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Measurements of the WC from the front view Universal design principles [32]. [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Movement area in a double-space kitchen [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Movement area in an L-layout kitchen [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Front view of the standard kitchen measurements [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

The transverse layout of entrance area [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Dining area layout for two or four people [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Space requirement in a garage [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Plan of the lift [Edited by Author from Ref. 39]

Chart representation of the major accessibility challenges the residents face in their neighbourhood (Author, 2022)

Chart representation of the functional spaces that most of the residents have a problem with (Author, 2022)

The plan of the two flats each with 85m2 (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Movement area by the bath (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

The area of the movement next to the washbasin and WC (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Bedroom 1 space for a wheelchair user at the long side of the bed and door measurements (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Bedroom 2 space for a wheelchair user at the long side of the bed and door measurements (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

The area of movement in the L-layout kitchen (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Circulation (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Dining area (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

The plan of the two flats each with 60 m2 (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

The movement space in front of the shower and WC, and next to the washbasin (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

The door size and space alongside the bed (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

The space in the kitchen (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

The space of the dining area (Source: Edited by Author, 2022)

Demographics of respondents (Author, 2022)

	Frequency	Percentage
Gender
Male	74	51.4
Female	70	46.6
Age
18–30	93	63.7
31–40	26	17.8
41–50	13	8.9
51–60	7	4.8
61 +	7	4.8
Education
Bachelor’s degree	88	60.3
Master's degree	32	21.9
PhD or higher	26	17.8
Residence
Nicosia	84	61.8
Girne	24	17.6
Mağusa	28	20.6
House Typology
Bungalow	6	4.1
Semi-detached house	11	7.5
Apartment	99	66.4
Duplex	15	10.3
Others	17	11.6
Disability
Yes	20	13.7
No	126	86.3
Someone to help if disabled
Yes	39	33.9
No	76	66.1

Satisfaction rating of the house design features of the residential spaces_ Satisfaction Rate on a scale of 1 (Very Poor) to 5 (Very Good) (Author, 2022)

House design features	Mean Quality	Remark
Type of house	3.35	Fair
Building material	3.36	Fair
Width of doorways	3.38	Fair
Width of hallways	3.36	Fair
Height of windows and doors	3.52	Good
Space for turning of wheelchairs in all rooms (Kitchen, living room, Sitting room)	2.96	Fair
Bedroom (Size, Material, Application, lighting, ventilation etc.)	3.34	Fair
Bathroom (Size, Material, Application, lighting, ventilation etc.)	3.16	Fair
Bathroom layout	3.23	Fair
Kitchen (Size, Material, Application, lighting, ventilation etc.)	3.37	Fair
Living room (Size, Material, Application, lighting, ventilation)	3.58	Good
Lift	3.12	Fair
Handrails	3.26	Fair
Floor coverings	3.29	Fair
Height of switches, sockets and service controls	3.33	Fair
Natural lighting and ventilation	3.28	Fair
Rent/Cost of acquisition	3.01	Fair
Overall quality of house for persons with disability	2.96	Fair

Universal design principles [32]

Principles	Guidelines
1. Equity in Usage The design can be used by everyone with different abilities.	It provides the same type of means to all the users equivalently It avoids stigmatising any user Provides safety, security and privacy equally to all people All the users that use the design find it to be appealing
2. Flexibility in Usage It takes into consideration the various preferences of the people and also their different capacities	Gives choices in the types of methods to be used Gives access to both right or left-handed users Promotes precision and accuracy of the user It offers adaptation to the paces of the different users
3. Simplicity in Usage The usage of the design is very simple and easily understandable, despite the users’ type of experience, level of knowledge and language ability.	Eliminates any complexity faced by the user Always consistent with the expectations of the user Accommodates different levels of language skills and literacy Puts information in accordance with its consistency It provides feedback that is effective during the task and even after completing it
4. Information is Perceptible It successfully conveys the information to the users, regardless of the settings of their surroundings.	Usage of various modes for presentation. For example, verbal and pictorial It maximises the information’s legibility Gives a difference in the way elements can be described It provides a sense of compatibility using various techniques that are used by individuals who have sensory problems
5. Tolerance of Error The design decreases the dangers and negative results of actions that are inadvertent or unintentional.	Provide warning when of danger and errors Well arrange various elements to avoid errors Provides features of fail safe Discourage actions that are unconscious in the completion of tasks that need much attention
6. Low Level of Effort It can be utilized effectively, pleasantly, and with little effort.	Uses operating forces that are reasonable Reduces sustained physical effort Reduces actions that are repetitive Allow users to have a position of the body that is neutral
7. Dimensions and Room for Use and Approach Irrespective of the type of posture, size or mobility of the person, adequate space and size are given to reach it, handle and use the design.	Provides variations in the hand and the size of the grip Provide a clear line of sight to those seated and standing Make the reach to any element easy for both the seated and standing Provides sufficient space for those users who need assistance or assistive devices

Satisfaction rating of the accessibility features of the residential spaces_ Satisfaction Rate on a scale of 1 (Very Poor) to 5 (Very Good) (Author, 2022)

Accessibility features	Mean Quality	Remark
Location of house/accessibility	3.53	Good
Streets leading to the house	3.25	Fair
The width of the sidewalks leading to the house	3.14	Fair
The surface of the sidewalks leading to the house	3.16	Fair
Curb ramp of the sidewalks	3.05	Fair
Maintenance of the sidewalks	3.10	Fair
Lighting of the streets next to the house	3.27	Fair
Width of the parking space	3.23	Fair
Distance from the car parking space to the house	3.51	Good
Levelled approach to the entrance of the house	3.37	Fair
Ramp gradient to the entrance of the house	3.23	Fair

The size guidelines for flats that have only one person using a wheelchair (Area in m2) (Author, 2022)

Name of the Spaces	1 person	2 people	3 people
Bedroom	16.0	24.0	16.0
Living area	20.0	20.0	22.0
Kitchen	8.0	9.0	9.0
Dining room	6.0	6.0	10.0
Bathroom	6.0	7.0	7.0
Spare room (washing machine)	1.0	1.0	1.0
Corridor	5.0	6.0	6.0
Total area	62.0	73.0	91

Assessment of Design Principles in the Residential Buildings for Disabled Persons: A Case Study of Social Housing in Northern Cyprus

Figures & Tables

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Figure 32.

Demographics of respondents (Author, 2022)

Satisfaction rating of the house design features of the residential spaces_ Satisfaction Rate on a scale of 1 (Very Poor) to 5 (Very Good) (Author, 2022)

Universal design principles [32]

Satisfaction rating of the accessibility features of the residential spaces_ Satisfaction Rate on a scale of 1 (Very Poor) to 5 (Very Good) (Author, 2022)

The size guidelines for flats that have only one person using a wheelchair (Area in m2) (Author, 2022)