Accessibilità a Montalbano Elicona: un approccio multiscalare

In any form of the built environment, in order to satisfy the requirement of accessibil- ity, there is a need to consider both material and intangible aspects through a multi- scalar approach. The architectural heritage does not sidestep this need. Any in-depth analysis or project needs to be designed whilst considering the relations and inter-connections between the building, public space and public services on an urban scale. This multi-scalar approach guided some studies carried out under the convention between the Department of Architecture of the University of Palermo and the Municipality of Montalbano Elicona, a small town of about 2,100 inhabitants in north-eastern Sicily. In this case-study, along with many social, economic, and moral implications, acces- sibility acquires strategic power in avoiding depopulation, a common phenomenon in Italian’s inland towns. This paper will describe an analysis and a design proposal for the ancient heart of the town, through a multiscale approach to the transformation and management of the built environment.