For everyone and for each individual: the design challenge for the built environment

Contemporary cities face significant challenges due to demographic and social changes. They must be prepared to meet the needs of the community, including individuals with specific needs. This dual design challenge requires innovative tools and strategies that aim to balance universality and personalization. A key approach is Universal Design, which seeks to create spaces that are usable regardless of individual abilities, promoting equity and inclusion. This paradigm is complemented by participatory design, which actively involves users in decision-making to ensure that design solutions effectively meet the needs of everyone. Lastly, technical standards, often in the absence of updated laws, serve as a valuable guide toward the creation of environments centred on people.