Disability and the City – An Introduction

The built environment, especially cities, are a microcosm of human civilization. The embodiment of both the physical and human dimension makes them a complex system both to build and to manage. For this single reason, they had been always associated with able-bodied people to the total exclusion of those living with disabilities. This chapter introduces the discourse around disability and the city by briefly outlining this complexity. It argues that most countries have institutional frameworks that are meant to guide developments. These are expressed in the form of policies and legislations. Furthermore, most of these policies and legislations are informed by international norms and policies which focus on building inclusive cities, as outlined under conditions of sustainable developments. However, when it comes to addressing the needs of vulnerable communities, such as people living with disabilities, these policies and legislations fall short of providing inclusive environments. The plight of people living with disabilities is not considered. This chapter further provides a platform upon which the reality of living with disability in South African cities can be analysed from various perspectives. This is done by providing a synopsis of each chapter based on the content it covers. Through the chapter outline, the scene is set for the nitty-gritties of disability experiences expected in selected cities.