A Standard on Accessibility of the Immobable Cultural Heritage

Architecture has always aimed to improve the quality of life for people by enhancing their interaction with the built environment. This applies not only to domestic settings but also to significant structures that represent our cultural heritage. However, the interaction between accessibility and cultural heritage may seem complex and challenging, even impossible at times. Cultural heritage is an essential part of our collective history and cultural identity. It is crucial to ensure that everyone can fully participate and enjoy it, especially when cultural heritage is integrated into people's daily lives, according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Moreover, improving the accessibility of cultural heritage objects enhances society's appreciation of immovable cultural heritage, emphasizing its significance and visibility. This conforms to the strategic objectives of the World Heritage Convention. This paper discusses the international standard known as ISO 5727 which aims to improve the accessibility of immovable cultural heritage in accordance with a Universal Design approach (UD). ISO 5727, currently under development within the framework of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is based on the Spanish standard, the UNE 41531 IN, published in 2018. The purpose of the standard is to provide general and technical criteria and a methodology for interventions in immovable cultural heritage to facilitate its use and enjoyment for all people. The standard should be considered in both restoration and rehabilitation projects, as well as in specific accessibility interventions. However, it should be noted that the standard does not cover accessibility measures related to management, like services, and maintenance. Nonetheless, it has been considered that these may be necessary complements or alternatives to the first. To carry out interventions effectively, it is advisable to adhere to a systematic approach towards the process and documentation involved. Firstly, accessibility objectives should be established. Then strategies to improve accessibility should be identified to focus on the purpose of the intervention. An analysis based on the current state of the cultural object, including its heritage values and accessibility conditions, would serve as a basis for establishing proposals for action. Once the options have been assessed jointly and comparatively, with the validation of all stakeholders- including users regardless of their abilities, age, or background- the proposals that can form part of an intervention plan can be decided on. The intervention plan will establish a set of measures that will configure the accessibility chain to meet the objectives of the intervention. ISO 5727 is conceived as a useful tool to enhance the conservation of immovable cultural heritage and to balance the achievement of specific social goals with the preservation of cultural values. This project is developed with the belief that accessibility can improve and expand the cultural and functional potential of cultural heritage.