The InclusiveSpaces project, co-funded by the EU, is working to make urban environments more accessible for people in vulnerable situations. Led by the organization cambiaMO (CMO), the project brings together NTUA (National Technical University of Athens), MAASLAB and 15 other partners. Through planning and design tools, as well as assistive technologies, the project aims to show how cities can make public spaces more accessible and welcoming to all people, regardless of their age, gender, or abilities.
CambiaMO’s Role in Leading the Project
CambiaMO, a non-profit with a research-focused structure, with an emphasis on inclusivity in mobility and climate resilience, is coordinating the project due to their expertise and vision on inclusiveness, transport, equity, and public space. During an interview with Floridea Di Ciommo, Ph.D. in transport and urban planning and director of cambiaMO, she explained, “Our work has always centred around a holistic, 360-degree approach to inclusivity, encompassing gender, ethnic origin, disability, and age.”
Through interviews and consultations in the 6 European pilot sites (Athens-Penteli, Hamburg, Budapest, Geneva, Madrid and Larnaka) the project is gathering feedback to ensure that the solutions developed in the project are relevant and helpful to the people they aim to serve.
The purpose of the interviews is to ensure the involvement of vulnerable individuals in decision-making. “We want these people in vulnerable situations to tell us what their needs are,” Floridea points out. She also notes that the interviews focus specifically on the assistive technologies developed within the project. Rather than asking broad questions, they tailor the interviews to the context of the Innovation Action of InclusiveSpaces, aiming to understand how these technologies can be effectively developed to meet user’s needs.
Innovation: iSEATRAC and Other Assistive Technologies
One of the project’s key innovations is iSEATRAC, a solar-powered system that allows wheelchair users to access the sea independently. “iSEATRAC isn’t just about technology—it’s about giving people the freedom to enjoy something as simple as going to the beach,” says Floridea, “often, the biggest challenge for people with physical disabilities isn’t the activity itself but accessing spaces such as beaches or lakes. iSEATRAC removes this barrier, allowing greater freedom and enjoyment.” In addition to iSEATRAC, the project works on improving other assistive technologies to ensure they are easy to use and suitable for a variety of needs.
The “Design-for-All” Approach in Action & Plain Language
The InclusiveSpaces project is based on a design-for-all methodology – which describes a wide range of design approaches, techniques and tools for design to meet a vast diversity of users’ needs and requirements. The concept comes from the combination of three other vital areas of user experience: user-centred design (which places the user at the centre of the design process); accessibility and assistive technologies; and universal design (which aims to create products and environments with one design to fit everyone).
Design-for-all aims to remove barriers and encompasses various dimensions of diversity, including perception, mobility, cognition, age, gender in all its diversity, ethnic origin and socio-economic status.
To involve people in vulnerable situations in every step of the project, project materials are written in plain language so they can be understood by people with cognitive or sensory impairments, and everything is translated into local languages to ensure full participation from the communities involved.
Looking Ahead: Making Cities More Inclusive
The impact of InclusiveSpaces will be measured primarily through the lived experiences of the people it serves. The interviews conducted will provide qualitative feedback on how well the innovations meet the needs of vulnerable populations, and success will then be determined by the satisfaction of the people using the innovations and the extent to which the tools can be integrated into everyday life.
InlcusiveSpaces is part of the Built4People partnership, which brings together the whole value chain to accelerate people-centric innovation for a sustainable built environment. The long-term goal of the project is to scale these inclusive innovations across Europe, proving that inclusive design can be both affordable and effective.
As Floridea explains, “our goal is to show that these solutions are not only possible but also affordable and easy to maintain. When cities are accessible, the quality of life improves for all residents.” By combining practical technology with insights from local communities, InclusiveSpaces is building a foundation for more accessible cities in the future, where everyone can participate and thrive.
Learn more about InclusiveSpaces here.
