Universal Vs User-specific: which approach creates the better public spaces?
Public parks are spaces that by definition are there for everyone and anyone to make use of. Whether you live or work locally to that area, or just happen to be passing through, you are afforded access to that space and generally speaking the facilities within it.
The principle of ‘Universal Design’ is centred on the belief that environments, products, services and interfaces should perform equally for people of all ages and abilities.
It stands to reason therefore that the design of these places and, by extension, the things in them, should aim to meet this principle in order to get the highest possible level of use and provide the best possible experience for park users. But the notion of ‘Universality’ is easily misappropriated as well as commonly ignored in its true design sense.
Continue reading