Contents ----------------- Preface ----------------- Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 The Development of “Universal Accessibility” 1.3 Objectives 1.4 Study Methods and Framework ----------------- Universal Accessibility in the Built Environment 2.1 The Challenge in Hong Kong 2.2 Aging Population 2.3 Universal Accessibility in External Areas, Open Spaces and Green Spaces 2.4 Major Issues 2.5 The Way Forward ----------------- Best Practices and Guidelines 3.1 Access Route 3.2 Connectivity and Interfacing Elements 3.3 Landscaped Spaces 3.4 Furniture, Equipment and Fittings 3.5 Way Finding, Orientation and Signage 3.6 Detectable Surfaces 3.7 Colour and Luminous Contrast 3.8 Lighting 3.9 Safety 3.10 Management and Maintenance ----------------- Photo Gallery 4.1 Access Route 4.2 Connectivity and Interfacing Elements 4.3 Landscaped Spaces 4.4 Furniture, Equipment and Fittings 4.5 Way Finding, Orientation and Signage 4.6 Detectable Surfaces 4.7 Colour and Luminous Contrast 4.8 Lighting ----------------- Appendices A1 Case Study 1 - Rehabilitation Complex in Wong Chuk Hang A2 Case Study 2 - An External Public Space in Ma On Shan ----------------- Acknowledgements ----------------- References ----------------- View or Download PDF

3. Best Practices and Guidelines     3.1 Access Route 3.2 Connectivity and Interfacing Elements 3.3 Landscaped Spaces     3.4 Furniture, Equipment and Fittings 3.4.1 Common Outdoor Furniture, Equipment and Fittings   3.4.1.1 Boundary Walls and Fences   3.4.1.2 Gates, Guardrails and Turnstiles   3.4.1.3 Bollards   3.4.1.4 Lamp Poles, Bollard Lights and Lanterns   3.4.1.5 Other Lighting Fixtures   3.4.1.6 Seating Bench Provision   3.4.1.7 Seating Bench — Location and Approach   3.4.1.8 Wheelchair Space Near Seating Bench   3.4.1.9 Design of Seating Bench   3.4.1.10 Litter Bins, Recycle Bins and Drop-in Boxes   3.4.1.11 Drinking Fountains and Telephone Booths   3.4.1.12 Portable Toilets   3.4.1.13 Vending Machines   3.4.1.14 Barbeque Pits, Picnic Tables and Seating   3.4.1.15 Fixed Telescopes, Binoculars, Recorded Sound Playback, Maps, Information Plaques, etc.   3.4.1.16 Customized Fixtures, Sculptures and Theme Park Features     3.4.2 Play Areas and Play Equipment 3.4.3 Recreational Equipment 3.4.4 Operational Equipment 3.4.5 Utility Equipment and Other Fixtures 3.4.6 Temporary Equipment 3.5 Way Finding, Orientation and Signage 3.6 Detectable Surfaces 3.7 Colour and Luminous Contrast 3.8 Lighting 3.9 Safety 3.10 Management and Maintenance 3.4 Furniture, Equipment and Fittings   3.4.1 Common Outdoor Furniture, Equipment and Fittings     Common outdoor furniture, equipment and fittings are part of everyone’s daily life. These elements are often taken for granted without notice. Passing through gates, bollards, lamp poles or sitting on a bench at the podium or at a park is familiar routine for many people. It is important that these common elements are properly designed for universal accessibility in order to allow the widest spectrum of users to enjoy them.   The best practices for the layout and design approach of outdoor furniture are common for most of the elements. Furniture and equipment should be located adjacent to the access route in a recess outside of the route on the same floor level without a plinth (3.4.1a). It would be beneficial to group certain furniture and equipment together for easy navigation and convenience. However they should not be placed immediately adjacent to seating benches or packed tightly together, which would create difficulties for some users.       3.4.1a  Map, fire hydrant, seating bench, lamp pole are all recessed into the planter area     Design of Protective Barriers     3.4.1.1 Boundary Walls and Fences     (a) All openings for entry should be designed for universal accessibility. (b) Openings for entry should be clearly visible, with a minimum clearance of 1200mm wide and minimum clearance of 1500mm x 1500mm on both sides. There should be no kerbs, thresholds or protrusions (3.4.1.1a). Zigzag turn at the entry should be avoided. (c) Viewing openings should allow viewing by people of different heights. (d) Anti-climbing device should not be placed within reach, i.e. anywhere below 2100mm (based on an average person standing with an arm reaching up). (e) Detachable and loosely laid anti-climbing devices such as broken glasses or a loosely fixed roll of barbed wire, should not be used (3.4.1.1b). (f) If an inclined wall is used, some form of barrier, such as planting, a plinth, a railing or a non-walking ground surface, should be provided in front and at the side to stop people from bumping into the wall (3.4.1.1c). (g) Chain-link fences sometimes become deform and protrude onto access routes. Therefore, chain-link fence for facilities such as ball courts should be properly supported; narrow access routes immediately next to chain-link fences should be avoided (3.4.1.1d).       3.4.1.1a  Accessible entrances   3.4.1.1b  Avoid the use of broken glass as anti-climbing device               3.4.1.1c  Guardrails in front of the inclined wall prevent people from walking into it and also provide shaded seating for resting   3.4.1.1d  Properly supported chain-link fence (left) and deformed chain-link fence protruding onto a narrow footpath (right)