The book "Inclusive Housing Design and Communities", authored by Dr. Seyyed-Abbas Yazdanfar, associate professor of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of Iran University of Science and Technology, Dr. Saeid Norouzian-Maleki, associate professor of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) and Negar Saadat, has been published recently by SBU Press in 204 pages.
The book introduces the concept of inclusive design in residential environments. The importance of inclusive design is determined in a situation where more than one billion people, with different abilities, face daily challenges arising from the living environment that does not meet their diverse needs.
Inclusive design is one of the new approaches with the aim of accepting a diverse range of people's abilities, which provides the needs of a wide range of users by creating solutions with the help of various dimensions and opportunities. Of course, inclusive design goes beyond mere physical adaptations; it is actually an attitude to envision a society in which most people, regardless of their abilities, can participate and live a peaceful life.
By intertwining various spatial features, inclusive design is a model for addressing the multidimensional challenges of a diverse society in terms of personal and social abilities, which encompasses the widest possible range of users by including it in the core of the design process. In order to maintain the independence and empowerment of people, the inclusive neighborhood unit creates an environment where people are not dependent on others to meet their needs.
The book is a glimpse into the future that, by acknowledging diverse abilities, builds a society based on communication, empathy and empowerment. Therefore, the book is recommended to architects, landscape architects, urban designers and concerned people who want to shape an environment that closes the gap between people's ability and access, enriches life and strengthens independence.