ACCESSIBILE CITIES. LEVERAGING PLANNING PRACTICES TO DESIGN INCLUSIVE PUBLIC URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

The contribution outlines an ongoing PhD study at Politecnico di Torino, Italy, exploring innovation in Architectural Barriers Elimination Plans (PEBAs). PEBAs are mandatory normative instruments for Italian municipalities, but they primarily address physical barriers. This research explores strategies and methodologies to expand these plans into a broader Accessibility Plan (AP) for Public Administrations, using the City of Turin as a case study. The objective is to define criteria for more accessible and livable cities. In line with the rest of the EU, with over 20% of Italy's population living with disabilities and a growing elderly population, there is an urgent need to adapt urban environments to diverse access needs. Accessibility is crucial for ensuring equal opportunities and the right to the city for all individuals, including those facing barriers due to their surroundings. Although Italy has normative frameworks like PEBAs, many people with disabilities still face barriers that prevent independent participation in city life. These challenges often stem from differing perspectives, agendas, and a lack of communication among stakeholders. The paper reviews the literature on inclusive design practices that foster collaboration and diversity in urban settings, embracing factors like gender, age, ability, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. It examines Italy’s current framework, national case studies that go beyond traditional approaches to PEBAs, and best practices from European cities recognized by the EU’s “Access City Award” from 2013 to 2024. The paper also outlines the ongoing research process and methodology, which aims to develop toolkits and strategies to enhance accessibility, focusing on Turin’s evolving PEBA/AP.