The Equal Opportunities Commission has organised the Universal Design Award Scheme (UDAS) 2026/27, inviting public and private sector organisations to create spaces welcoming to people of all ages and abilities. Launched in 2024, the scheme aims to accelerate a shift from compliance to inclusivity in urban design.
Hong Kong's ageing and diversifying population is making universal design a key measure of good urban living. The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) aims to accelerate the shift from compliance to inclusivity through its Universal Design Award Scheme (UDAS), which recognises organisations embedding accessibility in everyday experiences. Launched in 2024, the scheme attracted applications from public and private sectors, showing growing awareness that accessibility goes beyond regulatory compliance to enable social participation.
Hong Kong has built a solid foundation for physical access under the Building (Planning) Regulations and the Government's Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008. Yet, with demographic shifts and rising expectations for a fairer society, the EOC sees the need to move from compliance-driven design to universal design, which prioritises everyone's experience over minimum standards. As defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, universal design means creating products, environments, programmes and services usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialised design.
The latest edition expands to more areas of daily life, retaining categories like shopping malls and retail spaces, office buildings and spaces, restaurants, recreational, sports and cultural venues, and revitalised sites, while adding public and private residential buildings and higher education institutions. These reflect demand for accessible housing and inclusive campuses, aiming to honour designs considering diverse users and inspire others.
Recognised good practices cover community, family-friendly facilities and workplace design. In diverse communities, prayer rooms for those in need, handrails next to urinals and standard toilet cubicles aid frail users' safe movement; adult diaper changing rooms in malls and cinemas enable longer visits; resting areas encourage older residents to stay active and social. Family-friendly features include babycare rooms with separate breastfeeding and nappy-changing areas, stroller-lending services and wider parking bays for safer boarding and alighting with young children.
Workplace improvements feature adjustable desks and monitor arms for varied body types and postures, meeting rooms with better acoustics for hybrid participation, and rest zones for focus or relaxation. Organisations are encouraged to pair physical enhancements with staff awareness and empathy for users' diverse needs.
Rooted in architecture, universal design's principles extend to all daily life aspects, positioning UDAS as a collaboration platform for developers, facility managers, business owners and public institutions. Recently, the Hong Kong government has intensified efforts to align policy with inclusive practices. The Task Force on Promoting Elderly-friendly Building Design reviews regulations and guidelines to broaden universal design in public and private developments. Updates to the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) emphasise people-centred planning, enhancing walkability, connectivity and safety in urban design. Through UDAS, the EOC seeks to spur more sectors to adopt universal design, fostering inclusion in Hong Kong's daily life.