ADVANCING THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN AGENDA IN SINGAPORE : A STUDY ON THE ATTITUDES OF BUILDING OWNERS

Abstract

Universal Design is becoming increasingly important as a core function of cities which envisage a population of people with varying abilities and extreme aging. Previously developed from the concept of barrier-free design, this design concept encompasses principles and practices which aim to promote inclusivity in the environment and integration among users. Despite the recent strong governmental push for Universal Design, there seems to be an apparent reluctance among building owners to incorporate these features into their building projects. A research gap was also found in both the international and local context with regards to understanding the perspectives of these key stakeholders on Universal Design. This research seeks to explore the Universal Design scene in the Singapore built environment, and in particular, examine the attitudes of building owners towards it by analysing the factors that influence their mindsets. A triangulation approach was adopted to achieve these objectives whereby a combination of various research methodologies was employed. Surveys were conducted with experienced building professionals to investigate the general trends and perspectives for Universal Design. Following which, in-depth interviews were done to acquire deeper insights and validate the survey findings. A case study was also presented to showcase a practical scenario of the application of Universal Design, and draw out vital lessons and best practices. The findings indicate that while there is increased awareness and implementation of Universal Design in Singapore, much more can still be achieved to make the built environment a more inclusive one. It was identified that the mindset which building owners hold towards Universal Design is predominantly influenced by economic and cost-related factors as well as their lack of knowledge for it. Finally, a strategic framework targeting the economic, education, and marketing aspects of Universal Design was recommended to advance this design concept.