Ecodesign per l'inclusione. Strategia di economia circolare per Spazi urbani accessibili e sostenibili

Accessibility and inclusion in urban spaces are key elements in ensuring the right to the city, understood as the right of everyone to have a non-segregating spatial experience adequate to sustain their lives (Lefebvre-1968) especially for people with disabilities and vulnerable groups. However, the design of public environments often overlooks the connection between environmental sustainability, accessibility and mental and physical well-being. The paper investigates the role of ecodesign and circular economy in the design of urban spaces capable of adapting to people's needs while reducing environmental impact. The Disability Decree 2024, introduces a significant revision of the definition of “condition of disability,” amending Article 3 of Law 104/1992 and recognizing the role of environmental barriers in limiting social participation, thus a person with a disability is one who has lasting impairments of a physical, mental, intellectual or sensory nature that, in relation to barriers of various kinds, limit full and equal participation in living contexts, as reflected in the baseline assessment. In parallel, the new Minimum Environmental Criteria Decree, which came into force in July 2023, aims to reduce the environmental impacts of the supply and maintenance of street furniture products by incentivizing sustainable production practices taking into account the three dimensions of sustainability, the environmental, economic and social. The integration of draining pavements, urban green systems and natural shading emerges as a key strategy for improving the quality of public spaces, reducing resource consumption and CO₂ emissions and promoting climate resilience. In this context, Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, promotes stricter environmental criteria for products placed on the market, incentivizing innovative solutions for low-impact urban infrastructure. In addition, Directive (EU) 2023/1791 on the energy performance of buildings and the European Disability Strategy 2021-2030 emphasize the need to ensure that the green transition is also an inclusive process aimed at improving the accessibility of built environments. Through a critical analysis of international case studies, the paper explores how the intersectional approach can increase inclusive design. The methodology adopted involves the evaluation of best practices, with a focus on projects that demonstrate how the use of sustainable materials and innovative design solutions can foster an accessible and quality urban experience. Expected outcomes include the identification of principles and guidelines for designing more inclusive and sustainable urban spaces, contributing to the debate on how to rethink the relationship between design, context and people in light of environmental and social sustainability.