Tasarım+Kuram: Cilt 22, Sayı 45 (2026)

Abstract

Accessibility is an essential element of a livable environment and a sense of belonging, enhancing quality of life and providing significant social benefits. Campus accessibility pertains to the ease of access to various locations on campus, including academic units, social facilities, administrative units, and recreational areas. Enhancing accessibility on campus, particularly through pedestrian-friendly design, not only improves the quality of life and social benefits but also fosters social sustainability. It supports individuals in education, facilitates integration into society, and promotes a sense of community within the university. Therefore, it is important to ensure internal campus transport and building access to facilitate. The aim of this study is to investigate the accessibility of common-use spaces where social interactions occur on university campuses. To achieve this, a field study was conducted on the Dokuz Eylül University Tınaztepe campus to define the accessibility problems faced by both academics and students regarding pedestrian access. 98 respondents participated in a survey that evaluated accessibility within the campus. The findings of the study indicated that pedestrian access to the Tınaztepe campus and accessibility to social spaces are inadequate. The slope within the campus creates an accessibility issue that hinders interaction and communication between students and academics. The results point out that the linear layout of the campus along the east west axis, combined with the slope on this axis, creates a significant pedestrian challenge. This study claims that improving accessibility, particularly for pedestrians, on campus can increase social opportunities by allowing people to meet and engage more regularly.