VA16 ACCESS ALL AREAS
Despite many advances the idea of accessibility, the principle of social inclusion is not yet at the forefront of urban or architectural design. The aim of VA16 is to bring this issue to international prominence through two separate, but connected events to coincide with the 15th International Architectural biennale in Venice, The theme REPORTING FROM THE FRONT addresses the need to improve the quality of the built environment to consequently improve peoples quality of life.
The two areas are, first, the commission of new works by UK artists, one of whom will make guerrilla interventions in the city of Venice to highlight the issues of accessibility, working in collaboration with University IUAV of Venice. Second, a public debate to be held during the press days of the Architectural biennale in Venice 26th – 27th May 2016 on the issues of inclusion, bringing together artists, designers, architects, engineers and city planners to discuss why this issue requires wider debate.
This is not a project simply about disabled access it is about accessibility and inclusion for everyone. The discussion will cover all areas of accessibility, not only for visitors to public spaces and buildings, but also for workers. There should, in short, be no new building or urban design that does not encompass the basic human right to have access to all areas.
