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Download StatisticsKamarudin, Hikmah (2021). Physical access for disabled people's inclusion in the city centre: the case of Kuala Lumpur. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.
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Kamarudin2021PhD_Redacted.pdf
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Abstract
The aim of this research is to investigate the physical accessibility of Kuala Lumpur (KL) city centre, and its effects on the inclusion of disabled people. KL represents cities of the upper-middle-income that face challenges due to issues related to building control and planning frameworks, political and financial resources and tensions between economic development and other priorities. The research thus has broader relevance to other cities from the same region with similar social and cultural contexts, and also to other cities facing similar challenges at similar socio-economic transitions. The qualitative research design comprised 20 go-along interviews with participants with mobility difficulties in order to understand their lived experience in accessing the city centre which included their experiences with transportation, buildings, and the street level environment. It also included 39 semi-structured interviews with professional stakeholders to gather data regarding the provision of physical access in the city. The research highlights that measures were taken in providing physical access but barriers remained to people with disabilities. Generally, mobility impaired individuals especially wheelchair users still require assistance from others to continue their journey to the city centre. The findings of this research help to deepen the understanding of person-environment interaction that includes environmental aspects (external factors) and personal biography of disabled people while filling a gap in the field of human geography. Finally, it provides insights into pathways for change in order to facilitate the physical access and inclusion of disabled people, and other city centre users, which can be led by implementers, regulators and policymakers.
| Type of Work: | Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.) | |||||||||
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| Award Type: | Doctorates > Ph.D. | |||||||||
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| Licence: | All rights reserved | |||||||||
| College/Faculty: | Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Life & Environmental Sciences | |||||||||
| School or Department: | School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography | |||||||||
| Funders: | Other | |||||||||
| Other Funders: | Ministry of Education Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA | |||||||||
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) |
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| URI: | http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/11583 |
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