Shared Space Seminar Engineers Ireland 6 th September 2010 Neil Murphy, Senior Built Environment Advisor, MRIAI Centre for Excellence in Universal Design

Shared Space – There are many definitions of what Shared Space is. We have still not defined exactly what shared Spaces are in Ireland.

Shared Space, in the words of one of its proponents, Ben Hamilton-Baillie (2008a: 130), is a new way of ‘reconciling the approach between traffic and the public realm’. Shared space is commonly defined as a traffic engineering concept that seeks to break down traditional demarcations between motor vehicles, pedestrians, and other road users to facilitate a sharing of street space. It does not seek to prioritize any particular user, and it does this by reducing the delineation between pavements and roads, and may include the removal of street signs, signals, lines, controlled crossings, pavements, and kerbs. (Imrie 2010)

Universal Design Universal Design refers to the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. (Synopsis of the Disability Act 2005)

Universal Design is not a euphemism for accessibility, as access features such as ramps & lifts are ‘potent symbols of separateness’ (Welch 1995)

Do Designers / users understand the concept of Universal design & Shared Spaces?

Currently in the UK & Ireland Shared Spaces has become somewhat of a 'trendy' buzzword & it is felt that not enough is known about the area to Justify millions of Euro being spent on something that may not work for all users of the spaces involved. ‘The problem is people are trying to import new ideas without importing the context. People are importing ideas from the Netherlands and Belgium without importing the ideas behind it.’ (Imrie 2010)

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority are looking to create a discussion paper on Shared Spaces to inform and to generate discussion on Shared Spaces and to create a working solution for Ireland that is universal for all.

Why? CEUD/NDA have received queries concerning Shared Spaces from many quarters including Built Environment professionals and stakeholder organisations that have highlighted difficulties encountered by those using or designing Shared Spaces.

What happens next? CEUD/NDA Discussion paper Comments & submissions Develop Discussion paper into a Policy paper on Shared Spaces in Ireland

Aims of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design CEUD work in the Built Environment

National Disability Strategy National Disability Strategy launched in September 2004 Disability Act 2005 Formation of Centre for Excellence in Universal Design January 2007

Aims of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) Standards Stimulate research Participate in Standardisation work nationally and internationally Provide advice to stakeholders Encourage compliance Education and Professional Development Incorporation into design curriculum Application of Universal Design for Learning approach to teaching and examinations Awareness Best practice database Promote awareness and understanding

Education Gov Depts & Public Bodies Industry People with Disabilities, General Public Professional Bodies CEUD CEUD Stakeholders

CEUD Work in the Built Environment Revision of Building for Everyone (BfE) Lifetime Homes National Guidance Universal Design & Urban Planning Tactile Walking Surface Indicators Seminars – Education for CEUD/NDA Staff, professionals involved with the Built Environment plus end users. Participation on working groups reviewing standards & regulations Providing advice & information

Building for Everyone (BfE) Revision Book turned into 9 Booklets Informing about Universal Design Promoting Universal Design in the Built Environment Aimed at professionals working in the Built Environment & the general public Increase in technical drawings & photographs

Building for Everyone (BfE) Booklet series 1-9 External environment & approach Entrances & horizontal circulation Vertical circulation Internal environment & services Sanitary facilities Facilities in buildings Building types Building management Planning

BfE + Universal Design = Broader spectrum of the population Size Age Ability Disability

Previous Seminars Shared Space Lifetime Homes interior design Lifetime Homes in Policy & Practice Universal Design in Legislation, Policy and Practice Achieving Participation through Universal Design Better Design through User Participation " sarchive

The Winners Judges Award: What a Load of Bollards by Team M Peoples Choice Award: MYWAY by Team A

24 Hour Universal Design Challenge 2010 Friday 26 th – 27 th November Volunteers for teams required: Please contact: James Hubbard

Thank you