Enabling integration : arcades as a tool for integration and universal accessibility in Pretoria Central

Abstract

Individuals living with impairments (ILWI) represent one of the most marginalised demographics within societies. The inevitability that nearly everyone, at some point in their lives, will experience a temporary or prolonged period of impairment (WHO, 2022), should prompt us to take proactive steps towards designing buildings and cities that are not only equitable but also embraces and celebrates diverse skills and abilities. To initiate progress toward a more inclusive society, the fundamental realisation is that “disability” is not a medical or functional condition requiring treatment. Rather, there are societal barriers that disable individuals from accessing opportunities and participating fully in society (Husén,1995). The responsibility falls on the community (and by extension - architects) to choose whether they disable or enable individuals and, by extension, foster or hinder the process of integration. This project critically examines the prevalent practice of locating facilities for enabled individuals on the outskirts of communities, leading to their isolation from society. In these cases, the enabled community persists in isolation, while societal prejudices endure. At its heart. The project aims to address the prejudice and unfamiliarity that the public experiences towards the enabled community, as well as the isolation experienced by enabled individuals. The project advocates for a more progressive approach, proposing the integration of such institutions within well-established civic centres to allow for an active public interface. The project introduces the concept of a "shared space," designed in conjunction with essential amenities and support programmes catering to the needs of the enabled community. This shared space functions as a safe haven, allowing enabled individuals to cultivate a sense of identity and ownership in a city that may not be renowned for its accessibility. Additionally, by integrating into existing arcade networks, the shared space serves as a vibrant public thoroughfare and a welcoming point of entry and arrival for all city dwellers. The shared space aims to function as an incubator for integration. Facilitating gradual interaction between the enabled community and the general public, ultimately dismantling societal barriers and dispelling stigmas associated with disability. Fostering a more inclusive, empathetic, and integrated society.