Aida Robbana: Urban planning must be based on needs of persons with disabilities

Issues of social space and urban development must be addressed taking into account the needs of persons with disabilities, the Head of the UN-Habitat office in Tunisia, Dr. Aida Robbana, said at an event dedicated to the signing, within WUF13, of a partnership agreement between UN-Habitat and Alwaleed Philanthropies to promote inclusive housing for persons with disabilities.

Report quotes her as saying urban planning should take into account cultural specificities and the real living conditions of the population, rather than being limited to standard approaches in the field of social housing.

According to her, consultations with persons with disabilities have already been carried out within the programme in order to directly identify their needs and challenges.

"Since the launch of the programme, we have organized three consultations with persons with disabilities, aiming to obtain direct feedback from them: what difficulties they still face in housing, as well as in accessing public spaces and government institutions," Robbana said.