From the Removal of Barriers to Inclusive Design for Accessible Cities

Inclusive design for accessible cities today represents one of the fundamental pillars in the transformation of urban spaces. The journal Urbanistica Informazioni, the authoritative voice of the National Institute of Urban Planning (INU), regularly tackles these themes, offering contributions from all over Italy on sustainability, innovation, and inclusion.
Within this framework, Andrea Graziano and Luca Zampieron of Città Sotto Scacco Srl, together with Prof. Francesco Gastaldi of the Iuav University of Venice and Prof. Ruben Baiocco of the University of Milan, invite reflection on the deeper meaning of “inclusion” in urban development: not merely the removal of physical obstacles, but the creation of environments that enhance diversity and foster connection among people.

The approach promoted by Città Sotto Scacco Srl is based on a holistic and highly innovative vision of urban planning. Today, talking about inclusive design for accessible cities means abandoning the idea of mere regulatory compliance and instead embracing a new way of conceiving urban space: one capable of welcoming, integrating, and valuing every individual, regardless of physical, cognitive, or sensory abilities.
In this perspective, Città Sotto Scacco Srl also participates as a partner in the AccessCove project, an initiative aimed at creating concrete solutions for universal accessibility in cities, with a particular focus on inclusive and sustainable design. AccessCove seeks to promote the integration and accessibility of citizens in all aspects of urban life through technological innovation and collaboration between public bodies, private entities, and citizens. The project’s objective is to make urban spaces accessible and usable by everyone, fostering social inclusion and improving quality of life for people with disabilities as well as for the most vulnerable groups of the population.

Over the years, the concept of inclusion has progressively acquired a deeper connotation. It is no longer simply a matter of removing existing architectural barriers, but of adopting a proactive and anticipatory approach in urban design. The goal is not merely to adapt the built environment, but to design it from the outset so that it is genuinely usable by all. This approach takes shape through universal design, a methodology that promotes environments that are easy to use, safe, legible, and intuitive for everyone, without the need for subsequent modifications or adaptations.

In this vision, accessibility ceases to be a mere technical detail or a constraint to be respected; it becomes a structural element of urban quality. Only by truly including human diversity in design can cities become more equitable, resilient, and sustainable. Herein lies the essence of genuine inclusive design for accessible cities, which looks beyond legal obligations and instead aims to generate widespread well-being.

Tools and Regulations: PEBA and Beyond

In Italy, Ministerial Decree 236/1989 still provides a solid basis for defining accessibility standards. However, in today’s social and technological context, these tools must evolve to respond effectively to emerging needs. PEBA (Plans for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers) certainly represent an important step, but on their own they are not sufficient.
A participatory approach thus proves to be an indispensable strategic element. Experiences such as the Municipality of Argelato’s implementation of the Argelapp application for shared monitoring of urban accessibility, or the INU-promoted “Accessible Cities for All” project, demonstrate how decisive the direct involvement of citizens and stakeholders can be. Only by listening to local communities and valorizing shared knowledge can solutions be devised that truly reflect the needs of each territory. When regulatory and technological tools are integrated with co-design processes, they can become powerful levers for urban transformation. Dialogue among public administrations, technical offices, and active citizenship is the key to truly effective and sustainable inclusive design for accessible cities.

Real change, however, also requires a profound transformation of urban culture. The barriers to be broken down today are not only physical: there are invisible obstacles such as lack of awareness, resistance to change, and insufficient training among sector professionals. It is necessary to build a new collective sensitivity, capable of recognizing inclusion not as a cost but as a value. New technologies—GIS, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things—can become formidable allies in this process. They enable more efficient collection and analysis of territorial data, support integrated planning, and allow for more informed management of urban accessibility. Yet without a shared cultural framework, even the most advanced tools risk remaining underutilized or applied in a fragmented manner.

Within this context, the National Observatory on PEBA plays a key role as a network platform tasked with promoting experience exchange and supporting local authorities on the path toward a fairer, more inclusive city. Città Sotto Scacco Srl has operated for years with this spirit, helping to bring the guidelines of inclusive design for accessible cities to life. Thanks to its expertise in strategic consultancy and in drafting urban planning instruments such as PUMS, BICIPLAN, and PEBA, the company supports local administrations at every stage of the process: from context analysis to the design and implementation of interventions. The firm promotes an integrated vision in which accessibility becomes a guiding principle for regenerating public space and encouraging the participation of all citizens. Each project thus becomes an opportunity to build not only physical infrastructure but also relationships and a sense of belonging, transforming the city into a welcoming, vibrant place for everyone who inhabits it.

A Concrete Commitment to an Inclusive Future

Designing accessible cities is not simply about complying with current regulations: it is a political, cultural, and social act that places the right of every person to live in public space with autonomy and safety at its center. It is an approach that looks to the future and demands profound synergy between technical expertise and listening to the territory.
Città Sotto Scacco Srl tackles these challenges daily, bringing together the needs of public administrations with those of local communities. Through a working method that combines innovation, participation, and strategic vision, the company positions itself as a point of reference for truly inclusive urban design. Ultimately, designing accessible cities means designing better cities.

Città Sotto Scacco Srl has already supported numerous administrations on their journey toward safer, more livable cities. Through the implementation of measures such as PUMS, Biciplan, and PEBA, we promote policies and actions to ensure maximum safety, accessibility, and urban comfort for all.

We provide public administrations with the expert consultancy needed to rethink the urban model towards a more liveable, human-scale city.

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