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Development of a Universal Design-Based Guide for Handrails: An Empirical Study for Hong Kong Elderly

Author

Listed:
  • Vivian W. Y. Tam

    (School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics Western Sydney University, Australia and Honorary Professor, College of Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Ivan W. H. Fung

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Y. T. Tsang

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Leo Chan

    (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

An important and basic strategy for facilitating the inclusion and daily life of elderly in accordance with those living in public rental housing buildings is to allow their circulation to be barrier-free and self-supported. Therefore, the provision of a handrail guide could improve their living standard. This paper develops a universal design guide for handrails focusing on the needs of elderly. Fifteen routes with mostly elderly were selected and targeted for evaluating the existing problems with handrail provision. Surveys and informal interviews with elderly, adults, and children were also conducted to further investigate their needs, their ease of existing facilities, and possible future implementation to improve their ease. From the survey results, it was found that most of the existing problems with handrail layouts exist within the community. In addition to standardizing, modifying, and suggesting the ideas on handrail design and layout, the promotion of the ideas from universal design was the emphasis on this investigation in order to make a barrier-free city into a barrier-free but universal community for a better international city. The guide focuses on the standardization of synthetization of the scope in terms of design and layout. Simultaneously, an advanced part of design also regards the improvement of technological, environmental, and self-support features to improve Hong Kong’s international friendliness with tailor-made ideas such as Elderlysteady.

Suggested Citation

  • Vivian W. Y. Tam & Ivan W. H. Fung & Y. T. Tsang & Leo Chan, 2018. "Development of a Universal Design-Based Guide for Handrails: An Empirical Study for Hong Kong Elderly," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-32, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:11:p:4233-:d:183358
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jin-Wook Lee & Jeenee Jun, 2023. "The Future of Online Barrier-Free Open Space Cultural Experiences for People with Disabilities in the Post-COVID-19 Era," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Rebaz Jalil Abdullah & Tang Jian, 2019. "Using Structural Equation Modeling to Propose a Model for Shopping Complex Design Based on Universal Design Concept," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Sebastian Seriani & Vicente Aprigliano Fernandes & Paola Moraga & Fabian Cortes, 2022. "Experimental Location of the Vertical Handrail to Improve the Accessibility of Wheelchair Passengers Boarding and Alighting at Metro Stations—A Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-22, July.
    4. Wenqi Qiao & Zimo Chen & Tong Hou, 2024. "Failure Mode and Effects Analysis of Accessibility in Frigid Zone Campus Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-19, April.
    5. Takumi Ito & Tsuyoshi Setoguchi & Takashi Miyauchi & Akira Ishii & Norihiro Watanabe, 2019. "Sustainable Downtown Development for the Tsunami-Prepared Urban Revitalization of Regional Coastal Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-23, February.

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