Abstract

Cities are the places that have structural and equipment capabilities for housing, social, cultural, economical and recreational activities for various user groups. Since user groups in cities vary, it increases urban service requirements as well. The aim of this study is to investigate the urban outdoor sites in Kocaeli where disabled users, as a user group in cities, face problems and their expectations, and to determine spatial and equipment facilities the city offers for people with disabilities. For this purpose, a face-to-face questionnaire comprising 19 close-ended questions was administered to 80 participants including users with disabilities.  The data was analysed by using SPSS 13.0 statistical program, the results were obtained and evaluated.  According to the results, urban outdoor sites in Kocaeli offer very limited facilities for disabled users in Kocaeli and 62.6% of the participants completely or partially experience problems within urban outdoors. The most problematic urban outdoor sites for each of the disability type are; vehicle roads and pedestrian pathways, and parks and recreational areas.  The most important expectation of the participants is the arrangement of equipment elements in the city in general and in parks according to their own needs as well.

Key words: City, disabled user, urban outdoor, Kocaeli.