From February to May 2024, the first edition of the inter-university advanced training course ‘Environmental Accessibility’ will be held in Italy, organised by SITdA (Italian Society of Architectural Technology) and, specifically, by its ‘Cluster AA Environmental Accessibility’. The postgraduate course, intended for at least first-level graduates, will last a total of 64 hours and will entitle students to 8 training credits. The course director is Prof. Adolfo F. L. Baratta, of the University of Roma Tre.

The course consists of 15 modules by many lecturers from various Italian universities. The universities involved in the project are: University of Roma Tre, University of Florence, University Iuav of Venice, University of Ferrara, Polytechnic of Turin, University of Udine and University of Naples Federico II.

The Course

The course deals with the study of architectural barriers and the design and technological solutions for overcoming them in order to guarantee accessibility in autonomy and safety to spaces, equipment and furnishings for all people. The planning of the territory and transport systems, the design of new buildings and the recovery of existing buildings must contain all those solutions capable of permitting the use of spaces, equipment and services free of obstacles that limit or prevent anyone from using them comfortably and safely, while at the same time favouring orientation and recognisability of places and dangerous situations.

The concepts of comfort, safety and multi-sensoriality will therefore be integrated with those of accessibility and usability, reinforcing the concept that at the centre of the project must be the person in its broadest sense.
The course is divided into lectures and on-site visits.

The specific objectives are aimed at providing the tools for the management of the entire process that leads to the realisation of quality architecture, focusing in the thematic field of inclusive design on the interactions between building, environment and context and on the conditions of habitability at the different project scales.
These objectives are consistent with the “valorisation and development of culture and didactics in the general field of architecture” and are developed in the prevailing ambit of the disciplinary scientific sector ICAR/12 – Architecture Technology.
The cultural and professional profile that will be formed is that of an actor able to deal with theoretical and technical issues of inclusive design and at the same time to control the design aspects related to the elimination of architectural barriers.
Course lecturers include Dario Trabucco, Associate Professor in Architectural Technology at the Iuav University of Venice and member of the Technical Committee of Elevatori Magazine.

Admission requirements

The deadline for applications for admission is 18 January 2024. All holders of an entry qualification equivalent to or higher than a Bachelor’s or Bachelor’s degree, degree classes L01 to L43, are admitted to the selection. Selection will be based on the evaluation of the curriculum; there is no recognition of credits accrued previously.

The minimum number of participants is 10 and the maximum number is 100. If the number of applications for admission exceeds the maximum number, the Course Council will make a selection on the basis of the following criteria: degree grade, experience in the subject area of the Course.

• Maximum number of participants: 100
• Expected duration: 64 hours
• Credits awarded: 8
• Teaching language: Italian
• Teaching method: Dual (face-to-face and distance learning, as specified by the course organisers in the relevant Regulations).

For further information, please refer to: https://architettura.uniroma3.it/corsi-post-lauream/2023-2024/accessibilita-ambientale-1174/.

All course modules

17.02.2024 – Module 1. Introduction to the Course

Programme and Prologue to the Advanced Training Course – Prof. Adolfo F. L. Baratta, University of Roma Tre.

The words of the inclusive project – Prof. Valeria Tatano, Iuav University of Venice.

Environmental Accessibility – Prof. Christina Conti, University of Udine.

23.02.2024 – Module 2. Users and the environment

The history of disability – Arch. PhD Michele Marchi, University of Ferrara.

The users – Arch. PhD Angela Lacirignola, Prof. Lorenzo Savio, Politecnico di Torino.

The person-environment relationship – Arch. PhD Angela Lacirignola, prof. Lorenzo Savio, Polytechnic University of Turin.

24.02.2024 – Module 3. Current legislation and public works

The legislation in force – Arch. PhD Antonio Magarò, University of Roma Tre.

Critical analysis of the legislation on accessibility – Arch. PhD Michele Marchi, University of Ferrara.

The social impact of public works – Prof. Andrea Tartaglia, Politecnico di Milano.

08.03.2024 – Module 4. Wayfinding

Principles of wayfinding – Prof. Laura Calcagnini, University of Roma Tre.

Wayfinding in complex structures – Prof. Luca Marzi, University of Florence.

09.03.2024 – Module 5. The Plans for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers

The topicality of P.E.B.A. beyond the norm – Prof. Christina Conti, University of Udine.

Methodologies for the definition of P.E.B.A. – Prof. Luca Marzi, University of Florence.

22.03.2024 – Module 6. Urban accessibility

Configurational accessibility. Support tools for the architectural project – Prof. Nicoletta Setola, arch. Eletta Naldi, University of Florence.

Sustainable mobility and proximity as tools for achieving widespread environmental accessibility – Prof. Lucia Martincigh, University of Roma Tre.

Public toilets for an inclusive city – Prof. Maria De Santis, University of Florence.

23.03.2024 – Module 7. Overcoming distances and height differences

Urban routes: design aspects of accessibility – Prof. Christina Conti, University of Udine

Mechanised accessibility: design aspects – Prof. Dario Trabucco, Iuav University of Venice

Mechanised accessibility: technical-normative aspects – Arch. PhD Elena Giacomello, University Iuav of Venice

05.04.2024 – Module 8. The accessibility of the existing heritage

Inclusive urban accessibility in the historical heritage – Prof. Valeria Tatano, University Iuav of Venice.

Improving the accessibility of monumental complexes. Analysis tools and design strategies – Arch. PhD Luigi Vessella, arch. Mirko Romagnoli, University of Florence.

06.04.2024 – Module 9. New technologies

Overcoming barriers and obstacles through innovative technologies – Arch. PhD Antonio Magarò, University of Roma Tre.

Smart technologies for environmental accessibility – Prof. Giuseppe Mincolelli University of Ferrara.

19.04.2024 – Module 10. Overcoming cognitive disabilities

Designing for neurodiversity – Arch. PhD Elena Bellini, prof. Maria De Santis, University of Florence.

Designing Diabetes Centres – Arch. Antonella Masanotti, University of Roma Tre.

Alzheimer’s patients and the environment – Prof. Adolfo F. L. Baratta, University of Roma Tre.

20.04.2024 – Module 11. Open spaces

Age-friendly cities and green spaces – Arch. PhD Rosaria Revellini, University IUAV of Venice.

Therapeutic gardens for places of care – Prof. Cristina Cellucci, University IUAV of Venice.

Spaces for play: inclusive design tools – Prof. Maria De Santis, arch. Ludovica Gregori, University of Florence.

03.05.2024 – Module 12. Health structures

Hospitals and sociomedical structures: the accessibility project on the users’ needs – Prof. Francesca Giofrè, Sapienza University of Rome.

Design of health neighbourhoods – Prof. Nicoletta Setola, arch. Francesco Bertiato, arch. Eletta Naldi, University of Florence.

04.05.2024 – Module 13. Designing objects and services

Ergonomics for the design of environments, products and services – Prof. Erminia Attaianese, University of Naples Federico II.

Product design – Prof. Giuseppe Mincolelli, University of Ferrara.

17.05.2024 – Module 14. Inclusiveness in emergencies

Inclusive safety in emergencies – Prof. Valeria Tatano, University Iuav of Venice.

Safety and accessibility planning methodologies – Prof. Luca Marzi, University of Florence.

18.05.2024 – Module 15. Inspection

Visit to the Trajan Markets in Rome – Prof. Laura Calcagnini, University of Roma Tre.

Closing of the Course – Prof. Adolfo F. L. Baratta, University of Roma Tre.