Get High


If I had to explain the idea of spatial justice to a “normal” person, I would probably describe the Highline in New York. (As I’m sure everyone is already familiar), the Highline is a public park built on an old, historical railway line that is elevated above the city. It stretches about 1.5 miles and 50% of the access points are ADA. But what’s pretty cool about the park is that people in wheelchairs will have almost the exact same experience as someone walking. And while that seems like such a common idea, it really doesn’t occur as often as we think. While many buildings, campuses, etc are “ADA compliant,” the ramps and other access points tend to be pulled away or set apart from the regular path, thus providing a different, more isolating experience.

One of my favorite spots on the highline is this area that dips down and creates a seating portion overlooking the city. And the ramp is actually incorporated seamlessly into the seating promoting similar experiences for both people walking and people in wheelchairs. And while this is a small-scaled example, I think that design embodies the idea of spatial justice.




Comments

  1. I agree with you with how accessible this project is and just it is with people with disabilities, but in general this project was a huge cause of gentrification on the area. This project made the area to go very high on cost and all the neighbors that actually helped this project happen were forced to leave later because of the increase of rent.

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  2. I agree that basic universal design principles should always be implemented or at least whenever possible. In many renovation projects or small infill sites, it is quite difficult to achieve this standard.

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  3. It's kind of like, be seamlessly ADA compliant - where, like you said, everything is the same experience for everyone... Or don't make it accessible at all. A disabled person doesn't need any more reminders that they are indeed disabled, it's just rubbing salt in the wound. So if you add in a ramp as an after thought and make them go half way around the building you might as well just not build the building.

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  4. I agree with you and this is one of my favorite project.

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