A Multi-dimensional Framework for Understanding Accessible Built Environments for All in 'All Weather Conditions': The Study of Small towns in Nordic Region

This paper is developed with a growing concern on accessibility issues for winter cities in Nordic context. Much of this knowledge on inclusiveness, universal design and all such efforts in making buildings and public places accessible and usable for everyone are becoming critical for winter conditions especially in the case of northern settlements that are mostly covered with snow and ice for about six to eight months in a year. There is not much of literature available on such concerns of accessibility in winter cities. This paper extends the definition from 'design for all' to design for all in all weather conditions'. The first section of this paper highlights the need to rethink the definition of the concept 'design for all' in the context of all weather conditions. The later part of this paper develops a new integrated and multi-dimensional framework for understanding the accessible built environments for all in all weather conditions. The framework is developed by integrating three different disciplines urban design, social and behavioral studies, and maintenance aspects. Currently this framework is used for conducting empirical case study in small towns in North Sweden.