Evaluation of Konya sille settlement within the context of universal design

In today's world, the concepts of 'spatial accessibility' and 'universal design' are frequently used and studied. Disability, which arises for various reasons, increases the significance of concepts such as 'accessibility', 'universal design' and 'design for all'. The concept of universal design is a design approach that includes disabled people, enables equal and barrier-free use of space for everyone, and provides equal access. Disability, which is the subject of universal design; refers to temporary and/or permanent physical and/or mental disability, human conditions such as childhood, old age, and pregnancy. The main purpose in universal design is not the adaptation of people to the place, but the adaptation of the place to the people. The task of landscape architects, architects, urban planners and designers here is to create the best spaces to meet the needs of the users according to the characteristics of the human community. The concept of 'design for all' or 'universal design' is becoming widespread both in Turkey and around the world with the increase of this awareness. The universal design criteria set forth in line with it are significant factors contributing to the study. In this study, Sille settlement of Selçuklu, the district of Konya province, was chosen as the study area. The idea that Sille District, which is a historical settlement with cultural and religious tourism opportunities, recreation area and tourism venues should offer equal opportunities to all members of the society constitutes the impetus for the study. The existence of spatial access problem in Sille settlement and the fact that the areas used for tourism and recreation do not appeal to all users have been effective in the selection of the research topic. Sille, which is a cultural heritage especially for its geography, has been declared as an archaeological site and an urban site. In the study, it is aimed to conduct a wide literature review focusing on the concepts of 'disability', 'accessibility' and 'universal design'. In the context of 'design for all', one of the main purposes is to analyze the suitability for use, taking into account the universal design criteria of the recreation and tourism areas of Konya Sille settlement such as "equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and size and space for approach and use". As a result of observations, research and surveys conducted in the study area; it has been determined that the transportation arteries and urban facilities in Sille partially meet the universal design principles, but there are some deficiencies in terms of compliance with the standards. As a result of the evaluations, landscape design suggestions were presented to improve the spatial opportunities in recreation and tourism areas in the context of universal design criteria. Keywords: Accessibility, design for all, disability, landscape design, public space, universal design.