Assessing Green Roof Accessibility for the Disabled Community in High-Rise Residential Buildings

Abstract

Green roofs provide significant environmental, social, and aesthetic benefits. In high-rise residential buildings, green roofs offer communal spaces for recreation. However, despite their growing adoption as a sustainable development strategy, accessibility is often overlooked, limiting their potential to support social sustainability. Hence, access for the disabled community remains a critical concern. Residential green roofs have been largely overlooked in Malaysia, as previous access audits have primarily concentrated on public and commercial buildings. The study evaluates the accessibility of green roofs in three high-rise residential buildings in Shah Alam, Malaysia, in order to resolve this gap. The Universal Design Assistant (UD-AI) tool was utilized to support a qualitative approach with an access audit that was in accordance with the Malaysian Standard MS 1184:2014. The audit identified numerous obstacles, such as inadequate signage, steep incline gradients, and restricted access to communal amenities. Fostering inclusive and resilient urban environments necessitates overcoming these obstacles. The findings provide practical guidance for policymakers, designers, and facility managers to enhance the accessibility of green roofs and promote social sustainability in high-rise residential developments.