| Abstract |
Background: Barrier-free access is very important for people with disabilities (PwD). Objectives: The main objective of the current study focuses on analyzing the present situation in 15 disability prepared Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the Smart City Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, India. Methods: During the present research, a live accessibility audit was carried out on site by preparing a questionnaire before the direct audit and was divided into four categories of functional space, namely (i) Parking area and external access, (ii) Barrier-free entrance and internal atmosphere, (iii) Doors and openings, & (iv) Proper toilets. Field data, in the form of primary and secondary data, is analyzed for frequency and percentage, and the necessary statistical analysis is carried out. As far as the results are concerned, it was found that access to building space depends on the inclusiveness of its external conditions, direction taken and progress in urban areas have many limitations and needs. Results: The findings show that ease of accessibility for the elderly and disabled varies across functional spaces and there is an urgent need to improve this situation. Current research indicates that there is a great need for a holistic approach that can be used to design and plan smart urban settlements to create sustainable and accessible built environments. Conclusion: It can be concluded that all Community Health Centre areas and buildings need to provide a more accessible and barrier-free environment that can meet the demands of a wider range of users, including the elderly and disabled. © 2025, Dr Tarak Nath Podder Memorial Foundation. All rights reserved. |
