Design for All: Strategy to Achieve Inclusive and Healthier Environments

The transformation of today’s society generates an increase in users’ needs in terms of use, with impact on the physical, cognitive and psychological well-being for the greatest number of people. In addition, different scientific studies demonstrate that the physical environment can influence people behavior, performance and well-being. For this reason, ‘Design for All’ strategy was defined as the design for human diversity, inclusion and equality by the EIDD-Design for All Europe. This strategy is based on the concept that good design enables and bad design disables all people regardless their age, gender, culture, abilities or disabilities. The article addresses Design for All in relation to the built environment, focusing on healthcare facilities to clearly describe how to enhance different users’ benefits and positive outcomes such as usability, well-being and social inclusion. The current study provides both a theoretical background and practical information to integrate Design for All within the design process and solutions of the architectural field by means of a descriptive approach. In particular, two case studies of healthcare facilities (hospitals and therapeutic gardens) were analyzed to highlight how Design for All can be integrated to achieve more inclusive and healthier environment.