Policies and guidelines can be inclusive and thoughtful without needing to even mention universal design. The NSW Government Architect’s policy, Better Placed, has many of the elements of universal design without mentioning it.
A universal design approach to any design is about taking a holistic perspective. In the same way that level entry to a building is seamless, a policy that is truly inclusive just shows what needs to be done. The Better Placed objectives could easily be linked to the 8 Goals of universal design, which can be adapted to the language of any discipline. In this case it’s urban planning and infrastructure development. The key objectives of this integrated design policy for the built environment are:
-
- Better fit
- Better Performance
- Better for community
- Better for people
- Better working
- Better value
- Better look and feel
The NSW Government Architect defines a well-designed built environment as healthy, responsive, integrated, equitable and resilient.
The accompanying document, Implementing Good Design takes the ideas and turns them into actions. There’s an evaluation guide as well.
| Better Placed confirms our collective wishes for the future design of our infrastructure, architecture, and public spaces, and endorses the power of design to enable a better and resilient future for our communities. – Peter Poulet, former NSW Government Architect. |