INCLUSIVE HERITAGE TRAILS: ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES FOR VULNERABLE USERS IN KUALA LUMPUR'S URBAN CONSERVATION AREAS

Information from the abstract

Over the years, heritage trails within urban conservation areas have faced continuous threats as rapid development reshapes the surrounding landscape and alters the character of the city. These trails serve as vital pedestrian connectors and cultural storytellers, yet they remain physically inaccessible to vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities (PwD), the elderly, pregnant women, and families with young children. Therefore, the objective of this research is to identify the issues and challenges faced by vulnerable users and to examine the physical accessibility quality of heritage trails within Kuala Lumpur. Employing a qualitative case study research approach, data was collected using multiple sources of evidence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 vulnerable users, while participant observation involved 20 vulnerable users navigating the 2.57 km Kuala Lumpur Headquarters (KLHQ) Heritage Trail. Thematic analysis conducted via ATLAS.ti extracted 68 key phrases, which were synthesized into five core planning-relevant attributes: connectivity, usability, safety, information availability, and policy compliance. Findings reveal that the historic trail network fails to provide continuous accessibility. Therefore, this research proposes a comprehensive strategy based on universal design principles in creating inclusive heritage trails that inform the stakeholders and decision makers, directly advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 and 11.

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This record has an Impact Signal of 83/100 based on recency, source, collaboration, and bibliographic signals. It prioritizes monitoring and is not a judgment of research quality.

Related topics: Urban Transport and Accessibility · Urban Development and Cultural Heritage · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation