Evaluation on the Disabled Accessibility of the Nation Garden: Diyarbakır Bağlar Nation Garden

Abstract

Public spaces; are urban elements that all members of society should benefit from equally. For a healthy society and environment, it is important to organize public open green spaces so that all users can benefit from them comfortably without creating obstacles. In this context, the large-scale public gardens that are under construction today need to be planned and implemented in a way that all individuals can use them without any obstacles. Today, the political, social and ecological representations of the National Gardens, organized with the motto "81 million m² for 81 provinces", are evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. The purpose of this study is to question the compliance of the Bağlar Nation Garden, built in the new development area in Diyarbakır city, with the recommended standards for accessibility for disabled individuals. Documentation was made with on-site observations and photographs. As a result, it can be seen that; The national garden is not suitable for the use of visually impaired people, and the interventions made during the implementation phase have caused negative results. It has been determined that there are problems in terms of accessibility of roads, stairs and ramps within the area and the use of equipment such as fountains, garbage bins, tables and benches for resting purposes. In addition to the quantitative targets of urban-scale parks, such as public gardens, which are available for the use of all citizens, they should be made suitable for disabled use for a quality and healthy environment, and the necessary legal regulations and inspections should be made and the responsibility should be coordinated by the common stakeholders.