22/12/2025

Spreading the Word: SITE Project Showcased Across Europe

Over the past months, the SITE project has been actively involved in several key events and conferences, reinforcing its role as a driver of inclusive tourism in the Italy-Croatia Programme area. These occasions have served not only as platforms to share the project's progress and vision but also as valuable opportunities to connect with experts, policymakers, and practitioners committed to accessibility and Universal Design. Here's a recap of where we've been and what we've shared.

Training on Universal Design in Garden Planning – MEDS GARDEN+, Pordenone

On 10 September, we took part in a training event organised by the Fondazione Opera Sacra Famiglia in Pordenone, a partner of the Interreg Italy–Slovenia project MEDS GARDEN+. The presentation highlighted the SITE project’s goals and achievements, particularly its commitment to promoting Universal Design in tourism. Focusing on garden planning, the talk explored how inclusive green spaces can enhance accessibility and user experience for all, from children to the elderly, proving how natural environments can be reimagined as welcoming places for everyone.

Regional Contextualisation in Architecture Conference – Ljubljana

From 17 to 18 September, SITE was presented at the international conference "Regional Contextualisation in Architecture. The Spirit of Place – Cultivating Identity in the Built Environment” in Ljubljana. Barbara Chiarelli and Ilaria Garofolo (University of Trieste) delivered a scientific paper outlining how the SITE project integrates community engagement and place-based strategies to design inclusive tourist experiences. The conference underscored SITE’s relevance in addressing the specific identities of local territories while ensuring accessibility for diverse groups, aligning cultural heritage with innovative solutions for sustainable tourism.

Destinations for All Summit – Turin

On 7 October, SITE was featured at the “Destinations for All” Summit in Turin, thanks to an invitation from the INTERACT Programme. The project was part of a curated stand showcasing Interreg initiatives focused on accessible tourism. The event gathered stakeholders from across Europe to exchange best practices and build synergies around inclusive travel. SITE's presence confirmed its positioning as a reference project in the field, contributing to broader efforts in shaping tourism that is not only sustainable but truly accessible.

Urbanpromo – Florence

The journey continued in Florence on 13 November, where Barbara Chiarelli presented a new scientific paper at the Urbanpromo Conference, one of Italy’s leading forums for urban development. The SITE presentation focused on dissemination strategies and awareness-raising activities within the project, particularly in promoting Universal Design principles among local authorities, tourism operators, and citizens. The paper will be featured in a dedicated publication in early 2026, adding to the project's academic outreach and visibility among national and international networks interested in inclusive urban and tourism planning.