Ageing in a More Inclusive Place Thanks to the Cultural Heritage of Made in Italy

The contemporary context is characterized by social and cultural changes that have shifted the attitude of institutions toward certain segments of the population. There is a strong increase in the number of older people who, independently or otherwise, are active in the community. Therefore, there is a need to find new innovative methods that aim at healthy and active ageing. Based on the Design for All approach, the focus is on the design and development of tools, practices, and services that involve older adults in community life. Cultural environments play a key role in the health and well-being of older people because they represent spaces in which to share common identities as well as knowledge and social networks, which are considered essential elements of good health. The goal of research in the field of Design and Digital Humanities should be to create places that are not only physically accessible but also focus on the sociocultural and intellectual needs of older generations, through the real and the virtual. Indeed, the paper - by exploring established principles such as the relationship between active ageing, participation and technology - prepares the ground for the authors’ future studies by investigating in detail some design methodologies to reach an audience of older people, to make living environments more inclusive and to ensure participation as a resource in community life, as a repository of tradition, skills, and cultures to be transmitted to new generations. For this reason, it proposes the design of digital tools that open a multigenerational and multicultural dialogue, as well as co-design processes that ensure a non-solitary old age.