Use and Function Reallocation of Living Space in the “Design for All” Approach. The Contribution of Ecosystem Services at the Urban Scale

Nowadays, urban landscapes are constantly evolving, influenced by diverse human needs and contexts, demanding innovative and efficient plan solutions. Non optimal space planning causes a substantial reduction of urban living quality of life, inclusion and mobility problems, relational complexity, low space resources access and use connected with eco-system services network break. “Design for all” approach represents an interesting plan tool able to match people connections’ needs to urban environmental quality improvement aims. This clue is supported by the experience of the first case study, that considers universal design’s planning positive effects for resident people in the Italian city of Trieste. This is specially related to efficient and effective urban public space perception and services’ use for aged and disabled people. This operative approach also can be used to check out and assess the ecosystem services network part role. At the same way, the varying, and mixed structure of the city of Trieste becomes the necessary elements for re-think and plan the urban way of living with new functions using open space work tool, as highlighted in the second case study described in the paper.