Tenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment

Abstract

The United Nations (UN) policy on the sustainability of developing countries includes a reference to universal design and disability inclusion stating that “no-one will be left behind” (UNDESA, 2015). The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (The Agenda) was adopted in 2015 (UNDESA, 2015). It identifies global targets aimed to stimulate action over fifteen years in the area of sustainable development and covers three broad areas being economy; social; and environment and advocates that equitable and universal access play a key role in reaching these visions in relation to the built environment and sustainable development (UNDESA, 2015). There is a widespread lack of accessibility to the built environment – including roads, housing, public buildings, and urban spaces – within developing countries (UNDESA, n.d,). This in turn affects access to basic services such as sanitation, clean water, education, transport and emergency / disaster relief measures. Marginalization of people with disabilities in these keys areas contradicts UN policy and The Agenda which are aimed at inclusion. This paper examines what is presently being done to promote universal design principles in developing countries and suggest strategies for achieving the target of The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.