공공건축 유니버설디자인 적용을 위한 진단지표 제안 연구

Abstract

(Background and Purpose) The traditional focus on the quantitative expansion of physical urban space infrastructure must shift toward improving public architecture tailored to the aging society, which will become the largest age group. This shift should prioritize enhancing the quality of life of older adults and fostering a more considerate society. By applying universal design to public architecture, physical improvements can be made to older adults’ living environment while raising awareness of universal design principles. This study proposes diagnostic indicators for applying universal design to public architecture, serving as foundational data for improving accessibility and promoting public architecture that enhance convenience for older adult users. (Method) This study focuses on public architecture as a whole, particularly spaces used by older adults. Public architecture relevant to the public space domain is included among the eight policy areas suggested for age-friendly cities. Data on older adults’ behavior in aging societies were drawn from the 2017 and 2020 Elderly Surveys and future population projection data, incorporating findings on living environments and the aging index. The study also conducted a literature review on universal design diagnostic indicators to analyze current applications and propose diagnostic indicators tailored to public architecture commonly used by older adults. The characteristics and influencing factors of older adults were categorized to develop diagnostic indicators for the universal design of public buildings. (Results) To address the issues identified in existing universal design diagnostic indicators, such as clarity and coherence of diagnostic criteria, this study proposes evaluation standards of adequate, insufficient, and nonexistent. A frequency analysis of diagnostic indicators from previous research was conducted to identify areas of deficiency or excess. Specific solutions, previously only partially implemented as diagnostic indicators, were expanded and refined, resulting in a unique set of indicators that differ from existing guidelines and studies on universal design applications for aging societies. (Conclusion) This study suggests diagnostic indicators that address limitations of the existing Barrier-Free (BF) certification system by integrating universal design concepts and analyzing the characteristics and inconvenience factors of the older adult population. Most public buildings frequently used by older adults are older than 20 years. Although new public buildings above a certain size must obtain BF certification during construction, existing public buildings are not required to meet these standards, even during renovations or extensions. Thus, active administrative measures are essential to ensure effective application of universal design concepts. It is hoped that, alongside the proposed diagnostic indicators, future legislative framework will support universal design adoption, enabling more accessible public architecture for everyone, including older adults.