ISSN 2786-4561 (printed)
ISSN 2786-457X (online)

Vol.6.1 (2025). рр. 112-121

Inclusivity and barrier-free access of public space in a small Ukrainian town: A case of Hrebinka

Tsapenko A.

Gnatiuk O.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1818-2415

Taras Shevchenko National University, Kyiv, Ukraine

https://doi.org/10.17721/2786-4561.2025.6.1.-13/11

Annotation. This article presents a comprehensive assessment of the inclusivity and barrier-free access of the public space in the small Ukrainian town of Hrebinka (Poltava region). The research analyses key urban environments, including streets, parks, residential buildings, and socially significant institutions, using the “City without Limits” checklists developed by NGO LUN MISTO. The findings reveal that the overall level of barrier-free access remains low, especially in terms of transportation infrastructure (e.g., lack of designated parking spaces for people with disabilities and poor pedestrian crossings) and public facilities (e.g., limited availability of inclusive restrooms, ramps, and shelters). While the entrance zones of some buildings are formally accessible, the internal space often remains inadequate for people with mobility or sensory impairments. Residential areas demonstrate relatively better accessibility, particularly in sidewalk quality and greenery, whereas public institutions show critical gaps in tactile information, adaptive furniture, and staff readiness for inclusive communication. A systemic underestimation of the needs of people with limited mobility in the design and development of urban environments was identified, along with a lack of comprehensive understanding of accessibility, a critical shortage of information about the accessibility of facilities. The study highlights the need for systemic change in small towns, emphasising the shift from symbolic measures to real implementation of universal design principles. The results can support local authorities in formulating strategies and action plans for creating inclusive and barrier-free environments in Ukrainian small cities.

Keywords: barrier-free, inclusivity, accessibility, small town, universal design, urban public space.

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Declaration of the Conflict of Interest