Sinergia tra Active Design e Universal Design per la progettazione degli spazi pubblici aperti

Contemporary cities face complex and interconnected challenges: the climate emergency, an aging population, increased international migration, the need to ensure equitable access to urban services, and the rise of diseases linked to sedentary behaviors and lifestyles. These changes require cities to become increasingly active players, aiming to be more sustainable, resilient, inclusive, safe, and health-promoting. The challenging task is to design urban environments that are oriented toward sustainability and incorporate criteria of environmental resilience, social equity, and public health. Open public spaces are key elements of the contemporary urban fabric and, as such, are strategic in a scenario of major change. They act as catalysts for social interaction, contribute to environmental regeneration, promote psychological and physical well-being, and play a key role in combating spatial inequalities. The design of these spaces, which are activating, resilient, and accessible, is a priority in urban policies. Active Design is one of the most encouraging responses to current urban challenges. Its theoretical premise is based on the consideration that the characteristics of the urban and architectural environment can influence the behavior of individuals and communities, promoting or inhibiting regular physical activity. However, this approach is not very inclusive towards people with different physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities. Universal Design, on the other hand, is a strategy aimed at ensuring that built spaces are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, gender, ethnicity, or specific conditions. It is based on the idea that environments, products, and services should be designed to be used independently by the widest possible number of people, minimizing the need for subsequent modifications. On the other hand, it is oriented towards a conservative approach, focused on safety, stability, and predictability of use. Open spaces designed exclusively according to these principles, while accessible and inclusive, are characterized by being passive in their use, limiting opportunities for spontaneous movement, active socialization, and play. There is therefore a need to design open public spaces without following either approach, with the risk of offering spaces that are not very stimulating for everyone or not very accessible for many, nor to proceed by simply combining the two strategies, but rather to systematically integrate the principles of both into the design of urban public spaces. Some examples demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of actions based on this innovative design paradigm, which is capable of charting a concrete path toward more inclusive and health-promoting cities.