Enhancing Accessibility and Sustainability in Smart Cities and Smart Buildings: The Universal Accessibility Suite Initiative

On the 1st of June, the EU-funded project AccesS kicked off with a hybrid meeting in Greece at the premises of the Project Coordinator, CERTH, in Thessaloniki, Greece. The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation Actions under Grant Agreement No. 101147722 and will last for 3 years.

The project aims to revolutionize the accessibility and inclusivity of smart buildings and smart cities with the groundbreaking Universal Accessibility Suite initiative. By leveraging advanced technologies and innovative solutions like AI, BIM, and GIS, AccesS aims to create barrier-free environments, facilitate smooth mobility, and enable equal access to essential services and facilities. Furthermore, AccesS aspires to deliver innovations supporting the inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable operation of the built environment in order to optimize building operations in an adaptive manner depending on the needs of its users and addresses e-mobility and micro-mobility to facilitate accessible and inclusive transportation options.

The operational objectives of the project are to:

• formulate the basis of a user-centred design approach for social inclusion and accessibility in Smart Cities and Smart Buildings,

• deliver digital innovations for the design of accessible, inclusive, and sustainable Built Environments,

• promote inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable building operation and mobility management under the Smart City context,

• standardized Framework for Inclusive and Accessible Built Environments in the European Union,

• fostering Innovation, Public Awareness, and Industry Collaboration for Accessible Built Environments,

• demonstrate and evaluate the Universal Accessibility Initiative in Smart Cities.

The proposed solution will be demonstrated in cultural heritage buildings, people care facilities, and public services buildings in 5 countries. The consortium consists of 22 partners from 9 European countries. Through collaboration and our joint expertise, we will enhance accessibility and sustainability in smart cities and smart buildings!