THE ENHANCEMENT OF CULTURAL ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH AN INCLUSIVE DESIGN APPROACH: THE CASE STUDY OF THE “MUSEO DIFFUSO LETTOMANOPPELLO”

Abstract

Enhancing the usability, accessibility, comfort, and user experience of cultural heritage, particularly within small or dispersed museums, has become a key challenge for contemporary design research. In these contexts, the lack of technological infrastructures, effective wayfinding systems, and inclusive and ergonomic communication tools often limits visitor engagement, resulting in cultural and perceptual exclusion and diminishing local identity. Ergonomics and Design for All offer valuable frameworks to address these limitations by promoting a systemic approach that integrates human-centred, inclusive, and sustainable principles across different design domains. This paper investigates how these principles can be applied to cultural heritage through digital solutions, interaction design, service design, and communication systems that connect physical and digital experiences. The study presents the Museo Diffuso Lettomanoppello, an open-air museum in the Abruzzi Region, conceived as a living laboratory for experimentation of multisensory and inclusive design. By combining contextual analysis, participatory co-design, and the development of ergonomic and accessibility metrics, the project demonstrates how the integration of Design for All and Ergonomics can transform small cultural sites into dynamic, connected, and inclusive ecosystems. The findings highlight the potential of such combined approach to strengthen identity, participation, and sustainable development within marginal cultural contexts.