Accessibility at World Heritage Sitesan inclusive approach

Abha NegiDirector, Svayam

www.svayam.com

Heritage and Human Diversity A rich heritage and diverse cultural milieu of India is a unique

combination that few have been able to resist through the centuries.

India has 29 world heritage site, valued for their impeccable exquisiteness, diversity & historical significance.

Millions of people visit them every year and a few millions are but many others feel left out due to inherent physical barriers such as staircases, cobbled pathways, multiple levels, slopes etc.

“The problem is not how to wipe out the differences but how to unite with the differences intact”. – Rabindranath Tagore

Demand for access Elderly and persons with

disabilities have the wherewithal and time to enjoy leisure.

People with reduced mobility have a right to, and do want to enjoy travel leisure experiences.

Barriers in access dissuades elderly and persons with disabilities from visiting or enjoying a heritage site.

Demographics

Today almost 1 in 10 people in the world are over 60 years old.

By 2050 the figure will be higher than 1 in 5, increasing from 673 million in 2005 to 2 billion.

Tourism Statistics - Growing Demand

Domestic and foreign tourists arrival increased to 13.8% and 8.9% respectively during 2010-11. (Indian Tourism Statistics 2011,GoI)

Ministry of Tourism targets inflow of foreign tourists from 3 million to 25 million in next 10 years.

India ranks 9th in terms of international tourist arrivals.

As per an Australian research agency, 88% of people with disability take a holiday each year with 11 % of total tourism expenditure.

Increase in Foreign Tourists

Arrivals

Domestic tourists drive market

Barriers to access at Heritage Sites

Barriers in built environment discourage persons with disabilities & elderly from visiting and enjoying a heritage site.

Barriers are diverse in nature, the most familiar being physical constraints such as steps, uneven surfaces, steep slopes, narrow pathways, inadequate signage etc.

It is critical to identify the barriers to ensure heritage sites are accessible to all.

Inaccessible heritage infrastructure – excludes

many!!

Elderly facing difficulties in negotiating steps

Inaccessible ticket counter due to stepped

entry

Level differences in international circulation

Inaccessible drinking water facility

Lack of alternative modes of access make heritage sites difficult to reach

Sunk in toilets without any ramp entry

Uneven walking surface restricts smooth mobility

Bridging the Divide at Heritage Sites

Challenges:

Heritage monuments are crucial national assets, tangible links to our past and are often vulnerable.

The challenge lies in making them accessible in such a fashion that sustains their significance, and where appropriate enhances their value.

The potential benefits of improving access need to be balanced with maintaining the essence and aesthetics of the heritage site.

Qutub Minar and Ajanta & Ellora Caves are among several World Heritage Sites that Svayam and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have made accessible to all including the elderly and the disabled.

Case Study I – Qutub Minar, New Delhi

Issues identified at Qutub Minar

Due to lack of insight into the diverse needs and technical know-how of interventions like ramps, signage and accessible public conveniences, the Qutub Minar complex was not well-equipped to receive visitors with reduced mobility.

Pre- Audit Scenario at Qutub Minar

The concrete ramp at the entrance was steep.

The temporary ramp at the iron pillar was unstable, without handrails and had a very steep gradient.

The floor surface of the ramps was slippery.

Pre- Audit Scenario at Qutub Minar

• The connecting pathway of loose gravel made it difficult to walk let alone maneuver the wheelchair.

Post Execution of the Audit Report

Ramp at the entrance of Qutub Minar

Access at Qutub Minar

Ramp at Iltutmish tomb

Ramp to the Iron Pillar

Access at Qutub Minar

Continuous Level pathways

Accessible ticket counters at low height at Qutub Minar Complex

Accessible Cloak Room at Qutub Minar Complex

Accessible Signage

Tactile pathway to assist people with vision impairments

Accessible parking for persons with disabilities

Impact of Access Improvements at Qutub Minar

Recent reports suggest that after the Qutub Minar was made accessible, footfall of visitors has increased substantially.

For the year 2009, the revenue earned through ticket sales at the Qutub Minar stood at Rs 10.41 crore, much higher than that collected for the Red Fort (Rs 5.5 crore) and Humayun’s Tomb (Rs 4.8 crore).

Source: Mail Today

Case Study II – Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Aurangabad

The caves of Ajanta and Ellora have been declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and unleash an artistic legacy that will continue to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.

To ensure that persons with disabilities and elderly are able to enjoy and appreciate these ancient caves, Svayam joined hands with the ASI and has conducted an access audit of these caves.

Issues identified at Ajanta & Ellora Caves

Being spread over large areas in hilly terrain it is difficult to incorporate accessibility features at all the caves.

Effort has been made in providing a balance so that every visitor is able to enjoy the site.

Also, being a World Heritage Site conservational aspects too add to the challenge.

Access Audit in progress at Ajanta Caves

Accessing the public conveniences for making them accessible

Accessing the approach way towards the caves

Access Audit in progress at Ellora Caves

Ramps have been provided inside the Ajanta caves to assist people with reduced

mobility.

Access provisions at Ajanta Caves

Handheld carriages have been provided for the elderly and disabled

Access provisions at Ellora Caves

Ramps have been provided to assist people with

reduced mobility

Svayam’s initiatives towards creation of accessible,

user-friendly & inclusive heritage infrastructure at few other WHS

Ramp addressing the series of steps at World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri , Agra

Minor level differences at all places at Fatehpur Sikri addressed by ramps

Accessible Toilets (porta cabins) at Fatehpur Sikri

Ramp at Taj Mahal, a World Heritage Site

Ramp at the entrance of Taj Mahal

Ramp addressing the first level difference at Taj

Red Fort after Svayam’s interventions

Access to Deewan-e-aam Access to Hamam

Making the Connection

“Every act of imagination is the discovery of likenesses between two things which were thought unlike.” Jacob Bronowski

Illustration by Hannah Van de Water

Illustration by Hannah Van de Water

Illustration by Hannah Van de WaterIllustration by Hannah Van de WaterIllustration by Hannah Van de Water

Potential benefits of having accessible infrastructure at heritage sites

Enhanced visitors experience and satisfaction

Increase in footfall and likelihood of repeat visits

Provides equality of recreation opportunities

Mainstreaming of marginalized groups/ Social inclusion

Compliance with the international standards and UNESCO norms for WHS

Rationale: an inclusive approach

An inclusive approach recognizes everyone as a potential visitor and encompasses an environment which is used by everyone regardless of age, disability, gender or background.

Improving access is one of the keys to a wider understanding, valuing and caring of heritage sites.

Although improvements are needed in a number of other areas, interventions will need to be prioritized if the agenda for achieving inclusion of persons with disabilities and elderly is to be realized.

Conclusion – the way forward

Incorporating accessibility at heritage sites allows disabled and non-disabled visitors to enjoy the experience together.

There is a need to raise the profile of accessibility thereby making heritage sites reachable to the disabled and elderly to ensure they do not feel isolated from the mainstream.

Challenge lies in appreciating these varied and conflicting interests and yet find the most appropriate solutions to provide access.

Fulfillment of this commitment, therefore, requires inclusive and affirmative policies, sensitive infrastructure planning based on universal design standards and effective implementation & enforcement.

An accessible environment is an essential requirement for around 10%, a need for 30- 40%,comfortable for all, and problematic for no one.

Thank You!!