Universal Access in Historic Environment and Accessibility of The Haci Hasan Mosque in Eskisehir

Abstract

Urban heritage is one of the primary sign and symbols of humanevolution through history. It means inherited civilization ofpredecessors and it is a unique and irreplaceable resource which reflectsa rich and diverse expression of past societies and forms an integral partof cultural identity. It is not limited to the language or literature alone,but in the same time it reflects the capacity of man to overcomesurrounding environment. It also includes the physical and sentimentalelements of the community together with philosophy, religion, science,art and architecture in a society. In this context urban heritage, especiallyhistoric buildings and places, are significant because of their uses asplaces where people’s daily life activities. However, many heritagebuildings also offer specific challenges that need to be overcome whenproviding access for all. Therefore especially for people with disabilities,elderly people or other types of temporary impairments, barriers existwhich make visiting and using historic buildings and places difficult orsometimes impossible. For a society based on freedom and equal rights,making the built heritage more accessible is a key to providing itscitizens with autonomy, freedom of choice and the means to pursue anactive social and economic life. Accessibility is therefore fundamental right to access to the other rights and to fully participate in to the dailylife.This study, which focuses on the accessibility of historic environment, isto discuss what actions are essential to ensure access and equal mobilityconditions within mosque architecture to all people, regardless thediversity of their (dis)abilities.