ACADEMICS & RESEARCH
“Beijing Street Accessibility Assessment” research
Abstract:
Urban mobility and inclusion for people with disabilities (PWDs) remain critical challenges globally, particularly in rapidly developing megacities like Beijing, where physical and institutional barriers often restrict travel to essential and short-distance trips, a pattern termed "survival-oriented mobility." Existing research frequently overlooks the nuanced travel experiences of PWDs, relying on aggregate metrics biased toward non-disabled norms, which perpetuates systemic neglect. To address this gap, this study employs a network-based spatial analysis framework for Xicheng District, Beijing, integrating geospatial data with scenario-based simulations of barrier-free facility availability.
Our principal results reveal two key findings: only 17.69% of intersections have barrier-free facilities, with severe spatial inequity between core and peripheral areas; a 20% reduction in barrier-free infrastructure acts as a critical threshold, beyond which detour ratios increase sharply, especially for essential services (e.g., medical, shopping). The study concludes that urban accessibility planning must move beyond abstract efficiency metrics by directly incorporating the lived experiences and needs of PWDs. Prioritizing equitable infrastructure distribution, particularly at intersections and routes to key destinations, is imperative to mitigate detour burdens and advance truly inclusive urban development.
Research Framework of This Study
Simulation Scenarios for Accessibility Analysis
Multiple Road Network Distance vs. Linear Distance
Frequency Distribution of Barrier-free Facilities at Intersections in Xicheng District
Correlation of Detours vs. Direct Access under Different Simulated Scenarios
Road Network Distance vs. Linear Distance across Destination Categories
Pedestrian Detour Ratio for Baseline and 20% Barrier-Free Facility Reduction
BELL Rhode Island: Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System
Description:
Inspired by my time at the RI Community Food Bank, where I learned that true aid is about dignity and seeing the individual, I developed an action plan for Beijing's Xidan hutongs. Many elderly and disabled residents there face isolation from fresh, nutritious food due to mobility and financial constraints.
My solution is a regularly scheduled, accessible food cart, designed with low counters for wheelchair users and stocked with affordable, healthy options tailored to local needs. This is not mere distribution, but a conduit for respectful connection.
The plan begins by conducting interviews to understand specific dietary needs. Then partners with local suppliers for fresh produce and seeks subsidies to ensure affordability. The program integrates deeply with the community, training operators in disability awareness and establishing a feedback loop with residents.
The expected outcome is a tangible improvement in food access and a stronger, more caring community fabric. This small cart represents a step toward a society where everyone can access nourishment with dignity, transforming the simple act of buying food into a daily affirmation of mutual care and support.
Stanford E-China Fall 2024: Climate innovation and collaboration
Final project: Rainwater Collection System for Small-Scale Farmers in Huairou, Beijing
Reflection:
The prototyping process was shaped by empathy design, transforming it from a technical exercise into a deeply human-centered journey. During my initial field visit, as I walked through Mr. Hui’s land and conducted an interview, his stories ceased to be abstract descriptions. I felt the dry, cracked soil he walked on daily and saw the concern in his eyes as he pointed to a patch of wilting celery.
By building an Empathy Map for Mr. Hui, I moved beyond seeing him as just a “user” and began to understand the world through his eyes. I felt the weight of his reality: the pressure from friends to abandon a profession he loves due to financial strain and health risks, the anxiety over uncontrollable factors like prolonged cloudy weather affecting his crops, and his quiet determination to persist against these odds.
This empathetic understanding, grounded in the mud of his farm and the sincerity of our dialogue, was the compass that guided our collaboration. When I placed the initial prototype in his hands during a follow-up visit, his feedback was a direct reflection of the daily struggles and practical realities I had only mapped on paper. Hearing that the water container was too small and the pipes slipped out easily were validations of his lived experience. Integrating this feedback was an act of respect and partnership. By focusing on these shortcoming, we were able to co-create a device that truly resonates with his needs and dignifies his work.
On-Site Interview and Discussion with Mr. Hui
Empathy Map for Project