Thermal heritage offers a tactile pathway to inclusive cultural tourism on the Via Francigena

Why It Matters

Traditional accessibility efforts often prioritize physical access, neglecting crucial cognitive and sensory needs. By leveraging the inherent tactile nature of thermal heritage, designers can create more universally inclusive experiences that engage a broader range of users and foster deeper connections with cultural sites.

Key Finding

Current accessibility for the Via Francigena is mostly physical, missing opportunities for those with cognitive or sensory needs. Thermal heritage sites, with their tactile qualities, offer a promising solution for creating more inclusive experiences.

Key Findings

• Existing accessibility efforts on the Via Francigena primarily focus on physical access.
• Cognitive and sensory accessibility are significantly underaddressed.
• Thermal heritage sites possess tactile characteristics that can be exploited for inclusive tourism.
• Approaches like Universal Design for Learning and the geography of perception are recommended for future development.

Research Evidence

Aim: How can the tactile characteristics of thermal heritage along the Via Francigena be leveraged to improve cognitive and sensory accessibility for a wider range of tourists?

Method: Comparative analysis and proposal

Procedure: The research reviewed existing accessibility resources for the Italian segment of the Via Francigena and compared them to initiatives on other European Cultural Routes. It then proposed thermal heritage sites in Val d’Orcia as a promising avenue for accessible tourism, emphasizing their tactile potential and suggesting approaches like Universal Design for Learning.

Context: Cultural heritage tourism, European Cultural Routes (Via Francigena)

Design Principle

Leverage inherent material properties for multi-sensory accessibility.

How to Apply

When designing interpretive materials or site enhancements for heritage routes, consider incorporating tactile models, textured surfaces, or sensory-rich narratives that appeal to touch and other senses beyond sight.

Limitations

The study is an initial step and focuses on a specific section of the Via Francigena; broader implementation requires further research and pilot testing.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: Imagine a historical path where not everyone can easily walk or see everything. This research suggests using the feel of old thermal springs to make the path more enjoyable for people who might have trouble with sight or understanding complex information.

Why This Matters: It shows that making something accessible isn't just about ramps; it's about thinking about how everyone experiences and understands the world, which is key for any design project involving people.

Critical Thinking: To what extent can the 'tactile' nature of other heritage types (e.g., stone structures, textiles) be similarly exploited for cognitive and sensory accessibility?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This research highlights a critical gap in heritage accessibility, where physical access often overshadows cognitive and sensory considerations. The study proposes leveraging the tactile nature of thermal heritage, such as along the Via Francigena, as a promising strategy to create more inclusive cultural tourism experiences. This approach aligns with Universal Design principles by offering alternative sensory pathways for engagement, thereby enriching the experience for a broader audience.

Project Tips

• When researching a heritage site, look for its sensory or tactile qualities.
• Consider how different user groups might interact with a site beyond just physical movement.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the importance of multi-sensory design in heritage contexts.
• Use the findings to justify the inclusion of tactile elements in your design proposal.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of accessibility beyond physical limitations.
• Show how you've considered cognitive and sensory engagement in your design solutions.

Independent Variable: Type of heritage (thermal vs. other), focus of accessibility efforts (physical vs. cognitive/sensory)

Dependent Variable: Level of accessibility, user engagement, user understanding

Controlled Variables: Type of cultural route, geographical location, existing heritage management strategies

Strengths

• Identifies an under-addressed aspect of accessibility in heritage tourism.
• Proposes a novel and practical approach using existing heritage features.

Critical Questions

• How can the effectiveness of tactile interventions be objectively measured for cognitive and sensory accessibility?
• What are the potential costs and challenges associated with adapting thermal heritage sites for enhanced tactile engagement?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the potential of specific material properties (e.g., texture, temperature, porosity) of a chosen heritage site to inform the design of an accessible interpretive tool.
• Develop a prototype of an accessible interpretation method for a local heritage site, focusing on tactile engagement for users with visual or cognitive impairments.

Source

The Challenge of Accessibility to Heritage around the Via Francigena: The Potential of Thermal Heritage for Accessible Tourism · Heritage · 2023 · 10.3390/heritage6110371