There is a scarcity of knowledge regarding the potential benefits of human–nature contact within the context of working life. Even more limited is the research that focuses on working outdoors and the setting in which it takes place. This study aimed to obtain insight into key aspects of the physical environment relevant for the experienced benefits and challenges of workers exploring office work outdoors. We conducted interviews with key informants as well as photo registration and mapping of the different green spaces in the environments of six small or medium-sized workplaces. The information gathered was used as background knowledge for exploratory qualitative interviews, which were conducted while walking in natural settings chosen by the interviewees. With a landscape architectural perspective and an inductive approach, we explored employees’ experiences of bringing office work outdoors. The following themes emerged: ‘Simplicity,’ ‘Safeness’, ‘Comfort’, and ‘Contact with Nature’ were experienced as key aspects in relation to the physical environment, whereas ‘Sociality’, ‘Well-being’, and ‘Functioning’ stood out as the main benefits and, ‘Digital dependency’ and ‘Illegitimacy’ as challenges to overcome. Based on the identification of potential benefits and their prerequisites, we propose implications for practice and research that can be useful when focusing on bringing office work outdoors.

186 countries have ratified The Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) since 2006. Sweden ratified the CRPD in 2008, Denmark in 2009, and Norway in 2013. In the context of the United Nations, the concept of Universal Design (UD) introduced in the CRPD is new. Previously, accessibility was the dominant concept. By ratifying the CRPD, these three countries have agreed to initiate or advocate for research and development aimed at utilising UD when designing goods, services, equipment, and facilities. Additionally, they have committed to encouraging the integration of UD in the formulation of standards and guidelines. As a starting point for a future debate about the research part, this paper studies the uptake of UD in national policy in the three countries. The findings show that the approach in each country differs. Norway quickly developed their own version of UD (that has been critisised by scholars), thus choosing a top-down approach. By contrast, Denmark has been reluctant and is still using the concept of accessibility, waiting for the different sectors to adopt the concept of UD in their own way – as a kind of bottom-up strategy. While Sweden, has chosen another approach between these two strategies focusing on UD as a guiding principle, accessibility, and a third concept: usability. Finally, the paper discusses these approaches in relation to the built environment, using a framework that distinguishes between and act (like a process) and a state (as a result). All three counties are characterised by a dual focus on both act and state in line with the literature; however, the state dominates. The paper argues that we must acknowledge this duality but focus more on the process-related aspect to further develop UD as a human right concept.

In 2009, Denmark ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and thereby acknowledged that Denmark, through policies, plans and programmes, is to work for equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and promote Universal Design in the development of standards, guidelines and e.g. architectural policies. An architectural policy is an acknowledged tool for enhancing the quality of buildings and their surroundings. An important quality of architecture is the ability to include everybody, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, culture or disability. In 1994, 2004 and again in 2014, Denmark published a national architectural policy. Inclusion as an architectural quality was included, but the focus and terminology changed with every new policy. Based on a desk study about architectural policies, this paper presents how Universal Design is included in Danish municipal architectural policies. On a local level, 34 of 98 Danish municipalities have formulated an architectural policy. None of the architectural policies applies Universal Design, but a few operate with the concept of accessibility, primarily focusing on accessibility for all. This paper discusses how the absence of Universal Design in the architectural policies can be interpreted and how Universal Design can be introduced into future policies.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to open the black box of prescriptive requirements by analysing their role in shaping interests and decisions on accessibility, and discuss the consequences hereof for a future move to a performance-based accessibility model based on Universal Design principles. Design/Methodology/Approach: A single case study based on 15 qualitative interviews with clients about their approach to accessibility and Universal Design is analysed by using actor-network theory (ANT) as the theoretical framework. Findings: It is shown that the prescriptive requirements in the Danish building regulations constitute a black box, which is decisive in defining the clients’ perception of the users and their level of ambition for accessibility by inscribing specific expectations, actions and ways of knowing about accessibility. Research Limitations/Implications: The study is based on a qualitative single case study. We argue that analytical generalisations nevertheless can be drawn. Practical Implications: Performance-based regulations can be a source of innovation but also entail negative consequences for the quality of the built environment if treated in an isolated manner alone. Originality/Value: The paper contributes to the discussions on Universal Design and the implementation of performance-based accessibility regulation by illustrating how current prescriptive requirements are not mere “matters of fact” but play an active role in mobilising and shaping a network of users, technologies, norms and practices, which the introduction of performance-based requirements will radically alter.

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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study and analyse challenges in a regulatory innovation process in the field of accessibility and universal design (UD) practice. The study takes its starting point in a Danish regulatory initiative concerning innovation in building regulations. The aim of the initiative was to facilitate a new approach, which acknowledges human diversity to a greater degree than is the case with the traditional accessibility approach that relies on prescriptive requirements. Design/methodology/approach: The actor–network theory perspective of translation is employed to analyse the process and the complexity of the network of elements involved in the efforts to develop a new approach. The analysis is grounded in a qualitative survey, including semi-structured interviews, with respondents from architectural firms and respondents from local building authorities (municipalities) of their experiences with the building regulations and their way of working with accessibility or UD. The analysis concerned the following questions: 1) Which actors were intended to be enrolled in the network of an initiative about UD innovation? and 2) What factors contributed to the failure of the efforts of the building sector to develop innovative UD solutions? Findings: The findings show that none of the actors involved succeeded with an innovation solution. Lack of knowledge about UD, accessibility, and the low status of the subject together with tight economy and the anticipation of expensive solutions, prevented the architectural firms and building surveyors from embracing innovative solutions. Based on the findings, the discussions reflect on the implications for the future adoption of UD in future policymaking. Originality/value: Looking into the complexity of an innovative initiative, this paper contributes to the field of regulation concerning universal design.