Comparing access for all: disability-induced accessibility disparity in Lisbon

David S. Vale (), Fernando Ascensão, Nuno Raposo and António Pedro Figueiredo
Additional contact information
David S. Vale: University of Lisbon
Fernando Ascensão: CIBIO - Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
Nuno Raposo: Espaço e Desenvolvimento, Lda
António Pedro Figueiredo: Espaço e Desenvolvimento, Lda

Journal of Geographical Systems, 2017, vol. 19, issue 1, No 3, 43-64

Abstract: Abstract It is well known that individual impairments create disparities in the accessibility of individuals to opportunities, lengthening the distances or time needed to reach them or even completely impeding access. However, the accurate calculation and representation of these disparities remain a major challenge for urban and transportation planners. In this paper, we adopt the concept of accessibility disparity, originally applied to measure place accessibility by different modes of transport, to measure and represent the accessibility of individuals with physical disabilities compared to those without disabilities. We use spatial network analysis to calculate spatial connectivity and the accessibility of Lisbon’s city center, revealing what we define as ‘disability-induced accessibility disparity’. Our results reveal not only the locations responsible for reduced accessibility, i.e., barriers and/or deterrents to movement, but also how much any given disparity reduces the accessibility of an individual, allowing the use of this methodology by planners to identify critical areas and to design inclusive public spaces.

Keywords: Disability; Accessibility; Accessibility disparity; Lisbon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C18 C63 R40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10109-016-0240-z

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