Cultural Perception of Accessibility and the Role of Heritage: The Havelis in Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi)

In the Western context accessibility is a quality achieved through several steps, where the physical dimension is usually the first one, addressing people with disabilities. Changing the perspective, in a context such as the historic city of old Delhi, the removal of architectural barriers might not be the first concern, also referring to the diverse socio-economic situation and different cultural perception about disabilities. This paper reverses priorities, foregrounding the cultural accessibility, followed then by all the other dimensions. The case study of Shahjahanabad, one of the most significant historic areas of New Delhi, is analysed according to several aspects and dimensions of accessibility, with specific reference to the hundreds of havelis, the typical courtyard dwellings built during the Mughal era. Recognizing the heritage as a carrier of an identity value will allow us to enlarge the view and then pursue the other forms of inclusion.