Evaluation of universal accessibility in public buildings. Quito Case study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2025-1478

Keywords:

inclusive city, city law, universal accessibility, physical accessibility, public space, public buildings, evaluation method, accessibility evaluation

Abstract

Introduction: Universal accessibility is a fundamental right in the city. Improving physical accessibility in public spaces and public buildings contributes to a fair and inclusive city. This research evaluates universal accessibility in public buildings located in Quito, inside La Carolina Centrality as a Metro influence zone. The public spaces and public buildings evaluated in this area have their main activity focused on serving the community. The research proposes valuing physical accessibility to all buildings in the city to strengthen the principles of an inclusive city. Methodology: The methodology includes a review of specialized literature and the analysis of case as references of evaluation methods on universal accessibility located in Europe and Latin America. An accessibility evaluation and assessment instrument is designed with categories such as: urban approach and physical accessibility variables from the public space to the public building. Results and discussion: The results indicate that universal accessibility to public facilities has a high percentage of effectiveness, considering the importance of universal access in the metro area. Conclusions: It is concluded to implement as a pilot the methodology to guarantee the right to inclusion, equity and social cohesion.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Gabriela Mejía Gómez, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador

Architect, PhD student in Urban Sustainability and Urban Regeneration from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Master in Real Estate Business Management. University profesor for 12 years at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Researcher in topics of modern architecture, public space, neighborhood improvement and citizen participation. CEO of GMG design and construction, consultancy on habitat and city issues. Appointed in public positions as Director of Habitat Projects of the Metropolitan Public Company of Habitat and Housing Quito and as Technical Advisor of the Public Company We Create Infrastructure on social housing issues financed with international funds. Winner of national and international awards in: neighborhood improvement, regeneration of the Metropolitan Corridor of Quito, My Exemplary and Sustainable Neighborhood among others.

Fausto Segovia Cueva, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador

Freelance Architect, graduated from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, with a Master's degree in Urbanism with a mention in Project Formulation with a focus on Climate Change from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. Extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, in the fields of Public Administration, Education, Sports and architectural and urban lighting design. He has participated as a member of the Technical Committee for the publication of Universal Accessibility Standards currently in force in Ecuador.

References

Bañuelos Hernández, O. A., Correa Fuentes, D. A., Covarrubias Ruesga, M. S. y Cabrera Andrade, P. L. (2021). Evaluación por indicadores de Accesibilidad Universal en el Espacio Público: Centro Histórico de Manzanillo. LEGADO de Arquitectura y Diseño, 32, 37-50. https://legadodearquitecturaydiseno.uaemex.mx/article/view/16046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36677/legado.v17i32.16046

Boudeguer Simonetti, A., Prett Webber, P. y Squella Fernández, P. (2010). Manual de Accesibilidad Universal. Corporación Ciudad Accesible. http://www.ciudadaccesible.cl/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/manual_accesibilidad_universal1.pdf

Caicedo Tapia, C. (2022). La Accesibilidad Universal como parámetro de calidad en la infraestructura de la Educación Superior. En U. de Azuay (Ed.), El Sistema Universitario Ecuatoriano a la luz de su evaluación 2019 - 2020 (pp. 379-405). Casa Editorial Romo.

Constitución de la República del Ecuador. Registro Oficial Nº 449, 20 de octubre de 2008.

Gehl, J. (2014). Ciudades para la gente. Ediciones Infinito.

Imrie, R. y Hall, P. (2001). Inclusive design: Designing and Developing Accessible Environments. Architectural Press.

Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Vintage.

Ley Orgánica de Discapacidades. 25 de septiembre de 2012. Registro Oficial, Supl. No. 796.

Marín Nicolás, J. y Saenz Pérez, M. P. (2022). An Evaluation Tool for Phisical Accessibility of Cultural Heritage Buildings. Sustainnability, 14(15251), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215251 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215251

Muñoz, P. (2023). Programa de Gobierno para la Alcaldía de Quito. Quito.

Norma Ecuatoriana de la Construcción. (2019). Accesibilidad Universal (NEC-HS-AU). Ministerio de Desarrollo Urbano y Vivienda de Ecuador.

Norma Técnica NTE INEN 2243. (2016). Accesibilidad de las personas con discapacidad y movilidad reducida al medio físico. Vías de circulación peatonal. Registro Oficial No. 699 del 25 de febrero de 2016. https://www.normalizacion.gob.ec/buzon/normas/nte_inen_2243-2.pdf

Norma Técnica NTE INEN 2849-1. (2015). Accesibilidad Universal y diseño para todos. Parte 1: Criterios DALCO para facilitar la Accesibilidad al entorno. https://www.consejodiscapacidades.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2015/03/norma_inen_2849_1_criterios_DALCO.pdf

Norma Técnica NTE-INEN 2245. Accesibilidad de las personas al medio físico: Rampas. Registro Oficial No. 767 del 02 de junio de 2016. https://www.normalizacion.gob.ec/buzon/normas/nte_inen_2245-1.pdf

Norma Técnica NTE-INEN 2314 (2017). Accesibilidad de las personas al medio físico: Elementos Urbanos. Registro Oficial No. 56 del 14 de agosto de 2017. www.normalizacion.gob.ec/buzon/normas/nte_inen_2314-2.pdf

Norma Técnica NTE-INEN 2315 (2018). Accesibilidad de las personas al medio físico: Terminología. Registro Oficial No. 288 del 20 de julio del 2018. https://www.normalizacion.gob.ec/buzon/normas/nte_inen_2315-1.pdf

Norma Técnica NTE-INEN 2854. (2015). Accesibilidad de las personas al medio físico: Señalización en pisos y planos hápticos. Registro oficial No. 487 del 24 de abril de 2015. https://www.normalizacion.gob.ec/buzon/normas/nte_inen_2854.pdf

Norma Técnica NTE-INEN-2239. (2000). Accesibilidad de las personas al medio físico: Señalización.

Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) (2008). Convención sobre los Derechos de las personas con Discapacidad. Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU). https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/documents/tccconvs.pdf

Pérez, M. (Ed.). (2020). Accesibilidad, habitabilidad e inclusión en el entorno urbano-arquitectónico: Agentes políticos, educación, ciudad, nuevos paradigmas. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí

Plan General de Uso y Gestión del Suelo (PUGS). Septiembre de 2021. Quito.

Plan Metropolitano de Desarrollo y Ordenamiento Territorial (PMDOT) 2021 - 2030. (2020). 63. Quito.

Ríos Trujillo, E. (2020). Valoración de la Accesibilidad Universal en los Espacios Culturales de la Zona Metropolitana de Colima [Tesis de doctorado, Instituto Tecnológico de Colima]. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1480

Downloads

Published

2025-02-13

How to Cite

Mejía Gómez, G., & Segovia Cueva, F. (2025). Evaluation of universal accessibility in public buildings. Quito Case study. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 10, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2025-1478

Issue

Vol. 10 (2025)

Section

MISCELLANEOUS

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Gabriela Mejía Gómez, Fausto Segovia Cueva

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Non Commercial, No Derivatives Attribution 4.0. International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.), that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).