Evaluation of circulation paths in public buildings in terms of accessibility: Re-functioned public historic buildings in the Nicosia walled city

ABSTRACT: All users have equal rights to contribute social activities. However, the built environment creates obstacles for people. Especially, people with physical disabilities have various difficultiesabout accessibility. Accessibility problem, which is the result of unconscious structuring of built environment, is the main point of the study. Accessibility problem has been attempted more deeplythroughout the developed countries. Many guidelines and concepts have been formed about accessibility in developed countries. With regulations and approaches that have been done, accessibility standards ease the life of people living in these countries. However, this sensitivity about design of the built environment is not sufficiently taken into consideration in North Cyprus. There are many historical public buildings in Nicosia, which is the capital city of North Cyprus. These buildings are in the Walled City, especially on the "walking route" which is defined by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture. Unfortunately, disabled people (local or tourists), generally have limited access to these public historic buildings. The Walled City is the point of intersection of many civilizations, which hosted historic public buildings that are generally re-functioned. In this context, for the diversity of user profile, both local residents and tourists,it is expected to provide barrier-free access to public buildings that are re-functioned with cultural functions. Objective of this study is to analyse the accessibility standards for public buildingsand specify accessibility standards of horizontal and vertical circulations in the public buildings.The other target is to present existing accessibility conditions of the public historic buildings on the "walking route" in the Walled City. In this study, public historic buildings, which have cultural functions are selected, and components of circulation are analysed in terms of accessibility. Especially, horizontal and vertical circulations of spaces, which are closed, semi-open, defined open and open, are examined in terms of examined international accessibility standards. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………