Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The students will learn to analyse built environment and its operating constraints.
The students know the demands and the relevant legislation which the disabled place on the environment.
The students learn to solve environmental problems in traditional and innovative ways.

The students are able to apply the principles of the building sector in order to promote accessibility.
The students are able to solve construction-related accessibility problems in the design, construction and modification stages.

Content (course unit)

The built environment, the most common operating constraints.
Legislation and guidelines to promote and demand barrier-free environment.
Properties and characteristics of an accessible environment.
Building Services and DFA.
Construction process and construction contract practices and channels of influence.
Environmental visions for barrier-free residential environment.
Design for all thinking.

Prerequisites (course unit)

Basic knowledge of building or building design.

Location and time

On Fridays 8.3., 15.3. (contact), 22.3., 5.4., 12.4. and final seminar on 26.4. at 9-16.

Exam schedules

Course performance will be evaluated by exercises and activity of student both in lectures and in virtual learning environment (moodle).

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Self study
Lectures and assignments
Peer reviews
Seminar

Learning materials

Accessibility Survey of Built Environment (by the Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities)
Finnish Land Use and Building Act

Content scheduling

Introduction to accessible design and legislation
Basic information about accessibility and measurements
Accessibility in apartments, public buildings and exteriors
Accessibility provided by building services
Information about limitations of human functions
Building project and accessible design
Final seminar

Completion alternatives

No alternative ways

Practical training and working life cooperation

Considered case by case

International connections

1 credit - 27 hours of student's work