STRADE PER LA GENTE / STREETS FOR PEOPLE

The Ministerial Decree 236 (Min. LL.PP., 1989) represents the main regulatory reference for the accessibility of public and private spaces, defining the minimum dimensional requirements that built environments must meet to ensure the mobility of individuals with reduced motor capacity. These regulations are based on dimensional standards developed over 35 years ago, primarily referring to manually propelled wheelchairs with fixed measurements (75 cm width, 100 cm length, and 140 cm turning diameter). These values have been used to define minimum maneuvering spaces and sizes of accessible passages, such as doors, corridors, elevators, and outdoor pathways including sidewalks. However, recent decades have witnessed significant technological advances leading to a wide variety of mobility aids with morphological and functional features that differ markedly from those considered in the original regulations. This divergence highlights a critical issue: the characteristics of the designed space are fundamental to enabling or limiting autonomy, as emphasized by the WHO (2001), and outdated dimensional standards risk becoming barriers rather than facilitators of inclusion. This raises important questions regarding the compatibility of contemporary mobility aids with existing accessibility requirements and the consequent implications for architectural, urban, and regulatory design. This study contributes to this discourse by introducing a dual classification system that categorizes both the accessibility of spaces and the typologies of mobility aids currently available on the market. Based on an extensive review of normative documents, technical standards, product catalogs, and empirical data, three progressive levels of accessibility (A, B, and C) are proposed to reflect a range of spatial requirements, from compliance with the existing minimum standards to accommodating larger, motorized mobility aids such as electric scooters. Moreover, the research presents a novel application in the form of a “heat map of accessibility,” a digital tool designed to visually represent and integrate these accessibility levels across urban and building scales. This dynamic layer can be embedded within common GPS apps, providing users with real-time information on potential spatial constraints-effectively empowering individuals to plan routes that reflect their personal mobility needs and device specifications. The proposed classification and digital mapping tool serve as practical instruments to support designers, policymakers, and users in bridging the disconnect between regulatory prescriptions and real-world mobility demands. Ultimately, this contribution aims to inform a regulatory update and promote adaptive design strategies that enhance autonomy and participation for people with reduced mobility, reflecting the realities of current mobility technologies and the complex spatial requirements they entail.