Removing the Institutional Barriers to Constructing Barrier-Free Streets in Downtown Neighborhoods: Evidence from Shanghai

Although the barrier-free environment has been promoted for years in Chinese cities, streets in downtown neighbourhoods are still one of the least pedestrian-friendly spaces. This research argues that implementing barrier-free design on neighbourhood streets is physically restricted and socially and politically challenging. This article first reviews the extant literature on the design of barrier-free streets, summarizing the discussed challenges of implementing barrier-free design and features of old neighbourhoods in China. In the second part, the article introduces “Research through Design” including onsite observation, interviews, questionnaires, and design workshops as research methods, and the fieldwork of three neighbourhoods in Shanghai. The research concludes three types of barriers that interrupt the implementation of barrier-free design on neighbourhood streets — physical barriers, conceptual barriers, and institutional barriers. Four strategies are recommended to target the conceptual and institutional barriers, including enforcing barrier-free design, establishing an effective governing framework, educating the general public, and enhancing public participation. This research not only contributes to improving the quality of barrier-free neighbourhoods in China’s context but also offers valuable lessons for resolving challenges encountered in implementing public policies and development strategies, therefore holding the potential to guide urban governance in the broader Asian context.