The launch of the Dubai Universal Design Code in July has created the rigour to redefine the way forward for the emirate in planning and upgrading its urban scape. In mandating newer and future constructions to meet the code’s criteria in full, the positive collateral is the policy to pursue retrofitting of the city’s older buildings so they align with the ‘unconditional-accessibility-for-all’ guiding principle of Dubai. Ten key sectors, including educational buildings such as nurseries, schools, universities and colleges, and health-care facilities, mosques, and tourism venues — including hotels — are to benefit from the retrofit, as will a 1,000 buildings, over the next two years as Dubai moves towards becoming one of the most disabled-friendly cities by 2020, in line with the wider ‘My Community — A City for Everyone’ initiative.
The supreme function of urban design lies in its ability to cater to every single segment it is utilised by and individuals with disabilities are an intrinsic part of this requirement. As an official put it, Dubai has to be accessible even if there are no disabled people, and even if there were zero [disabled people] coming in from outside. This, in a nutshell, is what Dubai is committed to achieve.
From domestic areas to commercial and public spaces, the disabled must have access to every area of life. With the retrofit measure in place, Dubai is making sure that it moves towards becoming a city that offers a seamless experience of mobility, accessibility and security for residents and visitors alike. This ubiquity of facilitation will also propel it to its next goal: To become the happiest city in the world.
