Post-Occupancy Evaluation of Universal Design Implementation in Recently Completed Public Buildings in Abuja

Universal design principles mandate that built environments be accessible to all users regardless of ability, age, or physical condition, and the extent to which recently completed public buildings in Abuja embody these principles in their actual post-occupancy conditions provides critical evidence for regulatory reform and design quality improvement. This study conducts a rigorous post-occupancy evaluation of universal design implementation in twelve public buildings completed between 2018 and 2024 in the Abuja Federal Capital Territory, covering government office buildings, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and cultural buildings. A multi-method evaluation framework combined a comprehensive accessibility audit against the CREN Universal Design Standard, physical measurement of ramp gradients, door clearances, lift car dimensions, and tactile surface provision, structured interviews with forty users with various disabilities recruited through partner disability organisations, and review of design approval documents for evidence of universal design consideration at the planning stage. Results indicate that none of the twelve buildings fully met the CREN standard across all assessed dimensions. Ramp provision was present in eleven buildings but met gradient and landing requirements in only five. Accessible toilet facilities were provided in all twelve but were compliant with minimum dimensions in only six. Lift provision for multi-storey buildings was present in eight of nine applicable cases, but tactile navigation systems were absent in all twelve buildings. Documentation review revealed that universal design was not systematically addressed in planning approval documentation for any of the twelve assessed projects. The study recommends mandatory universal design assessment as a precondition of FCT building use permit issuance. Keywords: universal design, accessibility, post-occupancy evaluation, public buildings, Abuja.