In Dushanbe, when building houses, departments, shopping centers and even bus stops, people with limited mobility are the last thing they think about. According to the law, ramps must be provided for them everywhere (!), and even their standards are prescribed, but in reality they are made (if they are made) according to the principle – just to be there. They are narrow, with a too steep slope, and without railings. And, of course, they are lined with tiles – as if without this there is little chance of breaking your neck on it.
Two-level sidewalks, various obstacles in the form of curbs and uneven roads also do not allow certain categories of citizens to move freely in the city.
And Asia-Plus has written about this more than once.
Here is a photo strip we made 7 years ago.
It cannot be said that there have been no improvements at all over the past years, but they are so insignificant that it is somehow awkward to talk about them.
If earlier experts referred to the difficulty of reconstructing old buildings due to narrow doorways, high building plinths, sidewalks and other features, today, with colossal changes in the city and a large number of new buildings, this problem, it would seem, should be solved.
More precisely, with the construction of new buildings it should not exist at all. But this is if the developer complies with construction standards.
And how many of them are there – observing?
Let’s get a look.
We took these photos today.
How should it be?
When designing a ramp, a number of standards and rules must be taken into account, which are given in GniP RT 35-01-2012 “Accessibility of buildings and structures for low-mobility groups of the population.”
According to paragraph 89 of this document, the maximum height of one rise (flight) of the ramp should not exceed 0.8 m with a slope of no more than 8%.
If the difference in floor heights on the traffic paths is 0.2 m or less, it is allowed to increase the slope of the ramp to 10%.
In other cases, a spiral ramp must be installed.
The minimum width of the ramp should be 90-100 cm. According to the regulations, the surface of the ramp must be non-slip, and the structure itself must be made of fire-resistant material.
And in accordance with paragraph 92 of the specified regulatory document, along both sides of all stairs and ramps, as well as at all height differences of more than 0.45 m, it is necessary to install fences with handrails.
Also, for movement in buildings whose width does not allow the installation of conventional ramps, there are removable ones.
They can be installed directly above the stairs and unfolded when in use. The rest of the time, they are folded and secured to the wall using a special lock or construction hinges.
Are there penalties for installing incorrect ramps?
For violation of rules in the field of architectural, urban planning and construction activities, administrative liability is provided under Article 409 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Tajikistan
According to Art. 68 of the Urban Planning Code, state supervision in the urban planning industry is carried out by the authorized state body in the field of architecture and urban planning, local authorities for the supervision of urban planning architecture in accordance with their regulations approved in the prescribed manner.
Officials of the authorized state body for supervision of architecture and urban planning, in case of detection of violations by officials of state bodies, enterprises, institutions and other organizations, are obliged to:
- send instructions to the relevant government bodies, enterprises, institutions and other organizations to eliminate identified violations of the legislation on urban planning and set deadlines for eliminating such violations;
- send information about facts of violation of laws to the prosecutor’s office for taking measures;
- take measures necessary to bring managers and other officials of state bodies of enterprises, institutions and other organizations to responsibility established by the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Article 432 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Tajikistan Evasion from execution of instructions of state bodies for architecture and construction entails a fine for individuals in the amount of twenty to forty, for officials – from one hundred to two hundred and for legal entities – from two hundred to four hundred times the minimum monthly wage.
Today the calculation figure is 68 somoni. From January 1, 2024 it will increase to 72 somoni.
Source: Asia Plus TJ
