Author, as appears in the article.: Nasarre-Aznar S; Simón-Moreno H

Department: Dret Privat,Processal i Financer Dret Privat,Processal i Financer

URV's Author/s: Nasarre Aznar, Sergio / Simon Moreno, Hector

Keywords: Universal accessibility People Multi-unit buildings Life Housing Elderly Disabled Condominiums Built environment Barriers

Abstract: © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: This study aims to explore the current situation of universal accessibility to multi-unit buildings in three European countries (Spain, Germany and Sweden), in view of the lack of effective European rules on this topic, with the aim to identify which legal frameworks and policies may be useful to favour it. Design/methodology/approach: The results presented in this work are based on empirical data gathered from three surveys conducted in three representative countries of different housing models (Spain, Germany and Sweden). These surveys addressed the grade of accessibility at each point of the route that a person with mobility difficulties, with a physical deficiency or aged +70, has to do to access to their home from a public street or road. Findings: The current paper shows that, in the end, there is still a long way to go in terms of universal accessibility to multi-unit buildings in, at least, three European Union Member States as, according to this study’s findings, the percentage of universally accessible multi-unit buildings is limited to 0.6 per cent in Spain, 2.5 per cent in Sweden and 1.5 per cent in Germany. The study also identifies successful legal frameworks and policies among the studied countries that may be useful to achieve a true universal accessibility to flats located in multi-unit buildings. Research limitations/implications: The legal frameworks and policies identified in this paper in terms of promoting universal accessibility to housing located in multi-unit buildings may provide guidance to other researchers and policymakers when addressing this topic, thus helping them to reach an egalitarian and inclusive society. Originality/value: This paper goes one step further than previous works as it is based on up to date empirical data concerning accessibility and it identifies successful legal frameworks and policies in a comparative perspective.

Thematic Areas: Urban studies Management, monitoring, policy and law Law Dret

ISSN: 25149407

Author's mail: sergio.nasarre@urv.cat hector.simon@urv.cat

Author identifier: 0000-0001-9086-2533 0000-0002-6022-7464

Record's date: 2023-07-31

Licence document URL: http://repositori.urv.cat/ca/proteccio-de-dades/

Papper original source: Journal Of Property, Planning And Environmental Law. 12 (1): 35-54

APA: Nasarre-Aznar S; Simón-Moreno H (2019). Housing not for all: The lack of universal accessibility to housing in multi-unit buildings in Spain, Sweden and Germany. Journal Of Property, Planning And Environmental Law, 12(1), 35-54. DOI: 10.1108/JPPEL-05-2019-0028

Article's DOI: 10.1108/JPPEL-05-2019-0028

Entity: Universitat Rovira i Virgili

Journal publication year: 2019

Publication Type: Journal Publications