Design of Urban Public Spaces with Adaptation and Safe Accessibility Approach for the Physically Disabled People (Case Study: Semnan Ghaem Boulevard )

Introduction Achieving the growth and development of society requires creating equal and contextual opportunities and how to use the talents and abilities in it. One of these opportunities is the possibility of the presence and mobility of the disabled people as other people in society; Undoubtedly, people with disabilities are part of the members of any society ,which, according to equality of citizenship rights, need to be present in urban public spaces and create social interactions; So, in this study, due to the importance of the subject, an attempt has been made to design and match this type of spaces in one of the most important and busiest boulevards of Semnan city (the area of Ghaem Boulevard as a readable urban public space) in order to solve problems, increase the presence and safe accessibility of the disabled people to these spaces that are the purpose of this research should be addressed because the city and its spaces are not just a system and physical or natural context, but also the context of human life and a place for the emergence of  people’s abilities and creativity, the realization of goals, and the search for their happiness and satisfaction.Materials and MethodsIn the present study, the type of study in terms of purpose is applied, and the research method in terms of nature is descriptive-analytical and field type. Library and documentary study methods have been used to collect information related to theoretical topics and explain the principles and criteria resulting from this section. The field study method has been used to recognize and investigate the current situation and analyze and evaluate the applicant’s spatial patterns in the study area (conduct practical studies). In collecting field information, methods such as observation, photography, and tools such as a researcher-made questionnaire were used. After analyzing the questionnaires and placing its findings in line with field observations and studies, using the QSPM method to analyze and prioritize the strategies obtained from the SWOT table and then according to the design indicators mentioned in the theoretical framework section, for each of the strategy extracted, executive solutions are expressed to design and adapt and solve problems in the study area and thus increase the presence of people with disabilities.FindingsThe findings of the present study show that in the design and adaptation of urban public spaces in Semnan, such as the area of Ghaem Boulevard, the conditions and needs of the disabled people, especially the physically disabled people, have not been paid much attention and these people in the study area of this research due to many physical problems have many issues and concerns, including lack of easy commuting on sidewalks and streets, lack of ease of access and proper use of public places, spaces and special arrangements for spending leisure time. All these factors have created a disorderly, unhealthy, unsafe, and uncomfortable environment for the presence and efficient use of the disabled people in this area, despite its potential. So, these people rarely enter urban spaces alone. Most of them, due to the lack of suitable conditions for the presence and performance of optional activities, prefer to eliminate this type of activity. They only refer to the area and use it to perform their necessary and obligatory activities.ConclusionBased on the results, it was found that our cities today, due to social, managerial, and physical defects, have spaces for the presence of healthy and capable groups and do not accept the reality of people with disabilities, both physically and socially, and have many issues and problems in various fields. Disabled people in these spaces, despite the existence of laws that claim equal citizenship rights with other members of society, in practice due to corrupt and inappropriate designs and far from the minimum standards,  and the lack of executive guarantee of regulations to create appropriate spaces, they are deprived of being present in the community and having safe and easy access to the public spaces of the city and using the facilities available in it and participating in various activities. Thus, principled design and adaptation and compliance with standards, especially in public spaces used by different groups, is the right of all citizens and requires a comprehensive and binding approach. Also, the results of the present study show that by implementing the following strategies, we can help increase the Presence of citizens, especially the physically disabled people. Solutions include adapting sidewalks, streets, public buildings, and urban furniture elements, revising and adapting the case study based on design indicators and urban planning criteria, and providing the conditions in which all people can use these spaces according to their citizenship rights because the adaptation of urban spaces as a physical context for all people to have equal opportunities to move around the city, access to all urban spaces and perform activities in various fields is a necessity for growth and development between human being and the surrounding spaces and in the whole society. Based on this, it can be said that a society whose development orientation (planning, management, design, etc.) is according to the conditions of all people and responds to their needs and problems is a society in which everyone will have comfortable living conditions and will benefit from it