Ricerc@Sapienza

In recent years, Universal Design is becoming more and more widespread, seen as a
positive connotation that objects and spaces must have to allow full accessibility. The
concept connected to “remove architectural barriers” is now reversed; it has always
assumed a negative connotation, given by the verbs “remove” or “knock down”, which
indicate that someone in the past has built spaces and objects without thinking to the
real needs of all users.
In this context, the management of emergency situations is of great importance, in
order to create safe and accessible paths to allow free movements even of those who
have physical or cognitive limitations.
The paper aims to provide the tools that can help to plan the organization of public
space for its full use both in time of “peace” and in emergency situations, following
sudden natural disasters, such as earthquake events.