Venue: Bella Center - B5 M3 13:45 - 15:15
Affordable and accessible housing in some countries of America
Vanessa Zadel presenting on behalf of AFA Region III Regional Director Cecilia Leiva and deputy Kristine France and Members.
This presentation will highlight the need for accessibility in housing. Showcase exemplary examples and the barriers to implementation.
Belinda Seale
Findings of a scoping study on nature-based design in stroke rehabilitation.
Maksym Holovko – Ukraine
Proposal for new International Symbol of Accessibility ISA
The International Union of Architects and Rehabilitation International (RI) jointly conducted a competition for a twenty-first century symbol of accessibility to represent their core values of rights and inclusion, independence, physical and virtual accessibility for all, including people with disabilities.
This symbol created by designer Maksym Holovko (Ukraine), will present the design which demonstrates originality of form while indicating an openness, simply and powerfully conveyed using basic shapes and principles.
Are our international standards culturally responsive?
RIII and RV reflect on Cultural Responses for Codes and Standards for Latin America and Africa
Round table presenters Eduardo Alvarez, Uruguay and Olanrewaju Olusola, Nigeria
This clearly resonates with the theme for the 2023 UIA World Congress of Architects: “Leave No One Behind”, in synergy with the ISO 2030 “all voices heard” strategy.
The UIA Architecture for All work programme (AfA) Region III and Region V are working on the task of encouraging more participation in the writing, review and amending the International Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment Standards, particularly ISO 21542. , and its concrete application worldwide with universal criteria, towards a true architecture for all (AfA).
While for the International Standards overall, there is good connection and participation, however for Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment Standards, out of a possible 167 Members in ISO currently there are only 25 active and 18 observing member countries notably with very little participation by countries beyond Europe, and certainly few from Latin America and Africa.
- For instance, only 4 countries from the 54 in Africa are subscribed to ISO TC59 SC/16 on Accessibility
- Many countries may have their own standards and might not have adopted ISO. This may not be unconnected to perceived difficulties and inconsistencies when moving from country to country, as well as the perception that ISO standards lack input from a wider spectrum of countries.
- That the ISO standards may be seen to have little relevance to African and Latin American countries as compared to European areas where levels of infrastructure differ.
- There is cultural difference in how access independence versus inclusion and assistance is applied.