Making the built environment accessible for all

Why is it so important?

Accessible environments are fundamental to creating an inclusive society based on equal rights. As stated in European accessibility documentation, "An accessible built environment is a key for a society based on equal rights and provides its citizens with autonomy and the means to pursue an active social and economic life". When buildings and public spaces are accessible, people with disabilities can participate fully in community life, education, employment, and leisure activities. This inclusion has profound implications for individuals' quality of life and sense of belonging. By removing physical barriers, accessible design enables people with disabilities – not only physical - to exercise their rights as citizens and contribute to society. 

Which EU directives and standards are relevant for the construction industry?

Accessibility in the built environment within the EU is regulated by several directives and standards. European Standard EN 17210, released in January 2021, was developed under Mandate 420 (a European Commission standardization request from 2007) and approved by CEN-CENELEC. This standard provides specific guidance for making public spaces inclusive for people with diverse needs, including those with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. Currently undergoing revision for harmonization with broader EU accessibility initiatives, EN 17210 is complemented by technical reports covering performance criteria and conformity assessment. National standards bodies across 34 European countries were required to implement these standards by mid-2021, prompting many revisions to national building codes and creating the first unified European framework for accessible building design.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), while primarily focused on products and services, has significant implications for the built environment where these services are delivered. Coming into full force by June 2025, the EAA requires accessibility in physical environments housing services like banking facilities, transportation terminals, and retail spaces. 

Main challenges and obstacles

There are many implementation challenges for these regulations. These range from practical – e.g. retrofitting existing buildings (especially older structures with historical or architectural significance), legal - with varying national interpretations across 27 EU member states (particularly challenging for organizations operating in multiple countries), to human resources - a shortage of qualified accessibility professionals. The built environment provisions present particular difficulties due to the complexity of construction projects, diverse building regulations, and the significant costs of physical modifications. Organizations managing buildings must conduct accessibility audits and develop compliance strategies as the 2025 deadline approaches, with potential exemptions available only where modifications would constitute a "disproportionate burden."

Technical complexities arise in integrating accessibility features without affecting building performance or aesthetics. Additionally, many organizations face internal resistance to change, limited budgets for accessibility improvements, and tight timelines to meet the 2025 EAA compliance deadline. The breadth of accessibility requirements, covering diverse needs from mobility to sensory and cognitive impairments, further complicates the design and modification process for built environments.

Universal Design Principles – a practical approach to accessibility

Universal design principles are guidelines for creating products, environments, and services that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Developed in 1997 by a team led by Ronald Mace at North Carolina State University, these principles include: Equitable Use, Flexibility in Use, Simple and Intuitive Use, Perceptible Information, Tolerance for Error, Low Physical Effort, and Size and Space for Approach and Use. By applying these principles, designers and architects can create inclusive spaces and products that accommodate a wide range of users, from children to older adults, and individuals with various physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and accessible built environment for everyone.

The concept is applied in architecture, product development, digital media, and education. In architecture, universal design shapes accessible buildings and public spaces with features like wider doorways, ramps, and tactile markings. Product developers create more user-friendly items for people with diverse abilities. 

Some good examples of accessible environments

• Skellefteå, Sweden was named the most accessible city in Europe in 2023, and has integrated accessibility into its urban planning. Tactile trails and maps in the central park and river area, an outdoor elevator for improved access and underfloor heating in public spaces to prevent snow and ice accumulation are examples of these initiatives.
• Vienna, Austria was named the winner of the 2025 Access City Award. In Vienna, all metro stations and over 95% of bus and tram stops are accessible, the city has implemented tactile guidance systems and low-floor vehicles as well as accessible swimming pools and intelligent traffic lights.
• Through a partnership with the Integration Foundation, which has been advocating for improved building accessibility in Poland for two decades, Skanska has committed to ensuring that all its commercial properties in Poland achieve the Building without Barriers certificate.
• The AccesS project, an EU-funded initiative launched in June 2024, focuses on enhancing accessibility and sustainability in smart cities and smart buildings. With a consortium of 22 partners from nine European nations, this project aims to transform the approach to accessibility and inclusivity within smart urban environments through the Universal Accessibility Suite initiative.

The benefits of accessible built environments extend far beyond compliance to rules and regulations, offering economic advantages, promoting social inclusion, enhancing sustainability, and fulfilling ethical responsibilities. As European societies become more diverse and the population continues to age, the importance of accessibility will only increase. By embracing universal design principles now, builders, developers, and policymakers can create environments that will remain relevant, functional, and inclusive for generations to come.