Access to Waterfront Landscapes for Tourists Living with Disabilities

Abstract

In this paper an overview on the inclusive spatial design tools providing equal access to waterfront landscapes for tourists living with disabilities will be given. The focus is on close-to-natural areas which are popular because of their recreational potential. These areas present special natural and landscape values, and mostly are ecologically vulnerable. In these important ecological surroundings human presence and landscape values must be harmonized.

Environmental conditions, legal requirements and the economic situation can limit the opportunity for comprehensive access, but keep disability in mind while designing and maintaining these sites is a potential to provide wider access to the waterfront tourist destinations. We are about to present model solutions keeping the environment totally or mostly in its original, natural condition, but allowing recreational activities in the site at the same time.