In recent years, Japan has been experiencing a conspicuous demographic increase of the elderly as well as the disabled. In response, the central and local governments have been promoting developing work incorporating the concept of barrier-free living space. Given the limitations of barrier-free development, there is increasing interest in development work using the new concept of a universal design. This Study focuses on such a universal design which is a development method for all, including the elderly and the disabled, and aims at understanding the present development state of beach facilities constructed by the administration based on the concept of a universal design and presenting basic materials which will be useful for the future development of facilities which adopt a universal design. The Study also aims at obtaining useful knowledge by clarifying several issues listed below and examining the desirable direction for the administration to develop beach facilities adopting a universal design and the possibility of developing the best facilities for users.
