Neuro-inclusive cities: strategie di progettazione per l’accessibilità cognitiva e sensoriale

The urban built environment represents a complex living scenario, characterized by a variety of spaces, pathways, and functions, as well as a continuous flow of different sensory stimuli through which individuals navigate and interact. The first empirical studies on human experience related to cognitive, sensory, and perceptual aspects of urban space appear in the Kevin Lynch’s work The Image of the City (1960). His pioneering approach highlights the significance of psychological awareness in the experience of urban contexts, which relies on cognitive processes involving attention, memory, spatial orientation, navigation, and landmark recognition. In this regard, the effectiveness of the built environment lies in its capacity to be perceived, interpreted, and retained (Karakas and Yildiz, 2020). Urban areas are thus configured as heterogeneous and multifaceted environments, where eve-ryday activities and interpersonal relationships contribute to shaping the identity of places. In turn, these places – through their material, spatial, and functional characteristics – play a critical role in defining environmental conditions that impact individual quality of life. However, equal access to and full usability of urban spaces are still not ensured for all citizens (Sarraf, 2024). Different sensory inputs, complex spatial morphologies, and heterogeneous functions may become invisible barriers for neurodivergent individuals. In according with the WHO’s definition of disability – understood as a condition that may affect anyone temporarily or permanently in terms of physical, cognitive, or sensory abilities (WHO, 2001) – this study aims to identify sensory and cognitive barriers that af-fects accessibility and full participation in urban life, thereby limiting autonomy, social interaction, and the right to active community involvement. Through a literature review, with particular focus on autism-friendly design – widely applied in indoor settings – this research seeks to outline design strategies aimed at overcoming the invisible barriers of urban environments and promoting neuro-inclusive cities.