Universal Accessibility and Sustainability: Cultural Heritage and Tourism

This interdisciplinary project investigates the conditions of universal accessibility and sustainability in the fields of cultural heritage and tourism. Universal accessibility is considered across its physical and architectural, informational, communicational, sensory, cognitive, and virtual dimensions. The project aims to examine how universal accessibility can constitute a structuring principle for the valorisation, safeguarding, interpretation, and enjoyment of cultural heritage while simultaneously contributing to more inclusive, responsible, and sustainable tourism models.

The research considers the entire visitor experience — from access to information and visit planning to travel, arrival, stay, participation, and enjoyment of heritage resources and events. Universal accessibility is understood not only as a response to specific needs, but also as a strategy for innovation, heritage valorisation, and improving the quality of the experience for all, contributing to more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable destinations. In parallel, the project analyses sustainability across its environmental, economic, social, cultural, and territorial dimensions, seeking to understand how accessibility, innovation, and the valorisation of endogenous resources can contribute to new models of tourism destination development and management that generate value for local communities, preserve heritage and environmental resources, and promote broader and more equitable participation.

The research will seek to identify and integrate the different resources available within territories, promoting an integrated approach to the development of innovative, accessible, and sustainable tourism products, experiences, and solutions. Tangible and intangible heritage, landscapes, culture, gastronomy, itineraries, events, and digital resources will be considered. The involvement of local communities and different territorial stakeholders will be essential for developing more participatory and sustainable tourism management and development models.

The results are expected to contribute to more accessible, innovative, and sustainable tourism destinations, extending access to heritage and tourism experiences to more diverse audiences and strengthening the capacity of territories to create value, knowledge, and innovation.

The project also aims to serve as a decision-support and management tool for public authorities, cultural institutions, tourism organisations, businesses, associations, and local communities, promoting the dissemination of knowledge and good practices and contributing to the integrated, innovative, and sustainable management of tourism and cultural destinations.

Main Case Studies:

• Portuguese Way of St. James (Caminho Português de Santiago). In addition to analysing religious architecture, public and private pilgrim hostels, and other accommodation facilities, the route will be studied as a heritage, cultural, landscape, and tourism resource. The research will identify accessibility barriers and opportunities along the route, considering mobility, information, communication, orientation, and access and enjoyment by diverse audiences.
• Military architectural structures, such as fortresses, castles, defensive walls, and other heritage associated with the historical defence of the territory, will be analysed in terms of physical, interpretive, and communicational accessibility, considering their location, construction characteristics, state of conservation, and heritage protection status.
• Archaeological heritage, particularly fortified settlements dating from the Iron Age and interpretation centres. The research will assess the relationship between the accessibility of archaeological sites, heritage interpretation, heritage and environmental education, and the development of inclusive, sustainable, and innovative experiences.
• Assessment of the digital and virtual accessibility of heritage and tourism, through the analysis of websites and digital platforms of national and international institutions involved in cultural heritage, tourism, and territorial management. This analysis aims to establish a connection between access to virtual information and actual conditions in the territory, identifying strengths, gaps, and good practices. The digital dimension is regarded as an essential component of universal accessibility, as it often constitutes the visitor’s first contact with a destination, resource, or tourism experience.
• Universal accessibility in tourism and cultural events. The project will investigate the extent to which these events are planned and organised according to principles of universal accessibility and sustainability, considering aspects such as access to venues, circulation, transport, parking, sanitary facilities, rest areas, signage, advance information, accessible communication, interpretation, digital accessibility, welcoming people with different needs, and effective community participation. This case study will also enable an understanding of events as temporary spaces for the appropriation of territory and heritage, where specific barriers may emerge that are not necessarily present in the everyday use of cultural facilities.

Research Group: Territories and Organisations for Sustainable Development (TOSD)