The scientific community of Drawing has today a well-established focus on issues of accessibility and inclusion for diversified audience. These aspects permeate many fields of study, directly influencing the use and experience of cultural heritage, contexts of socialization and interaction, and products and spaces dedicated to education, as well as architectural and urban space more broadly.

The need to respond to the complexity of these challenges provides a stimulus for defining interdisciplinary paths of investigation, building international research networks, and collaborating with citizens, in order to outline perspectives that are relevant both to the evolution of the discipline and to the contribution it can offer in addressing the most complex challenges of contemporaneity.

The DAI project was born from the desire to connect researchers working on issues of accessibility and inclusion in relation to the configuration and management of space, communication and learning processes, and all other related fields of research.

Interdisciplinarity constitutes the defining element of the conference. Indeed, the four previous editions (2–3 December 2022, Genoa, Department of Architecture and Design, University of Genoa; 1–2 December 2023, Udine, Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine; 5–6 December 2024, Rome, Department of History, Drawing and Restoration of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome; 3–4 July 2025, Alghero, Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari) testify to the development of a multitude lines of research.

The results arising from these disciplinary dialogues highlight a multiscalar involvement, capable of impacting not only culture, sociality, and health, but also the management, communication, and design of space. An initial classification of these topics reveals transversal affinities among the research contributions on technical, technological, and methodological levels. Building on what has been developed over these years, the fifth edition of DAI, organized by the Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering of the University of Pisa, aims at, on the one hand, consolidating the themes already addressed through a critical systematization of previous objectives and, on the other, introducing and emphasizing the relevance assumed by the concept of digital virtual space and how it can engage with reality and with contexts of personal vulnerability.

The progressive overcoming of static models of spatial representation and the proliferation of new and diverse methods of digital graphic representation create the conditions for a transition in which users acquire a capacity for exploration and interaction within the digital virtual environment, capable of ensuring new dignity and conceptual autonomy.

Digital virtual space is no longer limited to representing reality or a model of it, but is instead characterized as an autonomous and meaningful space, with new and continually evolving challenges of accessibility and inclusion. Emerging technologies (such as Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality, for example) can open new horizons for research within the DAI framework, while at the same time requiring critical reflection on their comprehensibility, accessibility, and transparency.

Focus

Starting from the first DAI conference, the scientific Focus areas have increased, reflecting a growth and diversification of the fields of impact of research and of the different disciplines involved in relation to Drawing. In this fifth edition, the need has therefore emerged to reshape the overall organization by defining new subcategories capable of tracing the different specific characterizations already identified, gathered into four main focus areas:

1. Drawing for Accessibility and Spatial Inclusion

a. for the Communication of Spatial Complexity

b. for Orientation and Navigation in Architectural Space

c. for Physical Accessibility in Architectural Space

2. Drawing for Accessibility and Inclusion in Cultural Heritage

a. in Museum Contexts

b. for Intangible Cultural Heritage

c. in Architectural and Historic Heritage

d. for External Cultural Heritage Sites

e. for Inaccessible Cultural Heritage

3. Drawing for Accessibility and Inclusion for Well-being and Health

a. Cognitive

b. Psychological

c. Sensorial

4. Drawing for Accessibility and Inclusion in Ethical and Social Dimensions 

a. in Gender Issues

b. in Communication

c. in Education

 

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Call for Papers

The Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering of the University of Pisa invites all those interested in the debate on DRAWING for Accessibility and Inclusion to submit their contributions in the form of long abstracts to the International Conference on the following focus areas:

  • Drawing for accessibility and spatial inclusion
  • Drawing for Accessibility and Inclusion in Cultural Heritage
  • Drawing for Accessibility and Inclusion for Well-being and Health
  • Drawing for Accessibility and Inclusion in Ethical and Social Dimensions

Guidelines for the preparation of long abstracts

Authors are requested to prepare a text consisting of:

  • title
  • focus
  • author
  • Authors’ affiliation and email addresses
  • abstract (maximum 300 characters, spaces included)
  • keywords (max 5)
  • text (4000-5000 characters, spaces included)
  • 1 o 2 images
  • Bibliography (maximum 5–6 references)

The text must be written in Italian or English. The suggested structure of the text – without the obligation to divide it into separate paragraphs – should be articulated as follows:

  • Objectives
  • Methods
  • Description of results and limitations, with possible discussion of future developments

The text must be submitted in Word format, complete with all required information (file name: Surname_Name_DAI25), and in PDF format in blind review mode, omitting any information that could identify the authors (file name: Surname_Name_DAI25_blind). Both files must be submitted by completing the form available at the following link: https://forms.gle/rHi1kXsmbdFFTDev5

Key Dates

9 January 2026: publication of the call for papers

15 May 2026: deadline for long abstracts submission of

15 June 2026: notification of long abstract acceptance

12 September 2026: deadline full paper submission

12 September 2026: early-bird registration deadline

3 December 2026: publication of the conference proceedings

 

For further information: info@disegnodai.eu

Registration

The deadline for registration and payment in order to publish a contribution in the Conference Proceedings is November 20, 2026. At least one author is required to pay the registration fee. All conference participants are required to pay the registration fee, which includes the conference kit, lunch, and coffee breaks. Payment can be made by completing the following form:  (in progress)

 

REGISTRATION FEES

Early Registration (until 15 September 2026)

Participants                                       220,00 €

PhD candidates / Students             160,00 €

Standard Registration (from 16 September 2026 to 20 November 2026)

Participants                                      280,00 €

PhD candidates / Students             220,00 €

Conference Venues and Hotels

Where

Centro Congressi le Benedettine, Università di Pisa, Piazza San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno, 16, Pisa (PI), Italia, Italy

Hotel

Some accommodation options affiliated with the University of Pisa are listed below:

Residence Le Benedettine

Lungarno Sidney Sonnino, 18 – Pisa (PI) 56125 http://it.residence.unipi.it/home_it/ It is recommended to make reservations directly by email: info@residence.unipi.it

ORGANISING COMMITTEE 

Marco Giorgio Bevilacqua – Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, Università di Pisa

Alessandro Meloni – Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, Università di Pisa

Piergiuseppe Rechichi – Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, Università di Pisa

Zhangliang Shuai – Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, Università di Pisa  

PROMOTING COMMITTEE

Marco Giorgio Bevilacqua – Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, Università di Pisa

Cristina Càndito – Dipartimento Architettura e Design, Università di Genova

Enrico Cicalò – Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari

Tommaso Empler – Dipartimento di Storia, Disegno e Restauro dell’Architettura, Sapienza Università di Roma

Alberto Sdegno – Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università degli Studi di Udine

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Giuseppe Amoruso – Dipartimento di Design, Politecnico di Milano

Francesco Bergamo – Dipartimento di Culture del Progetto, Università IUAV, Venezia

Marco Giorgio Bevilacqua – Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, Università di Pisa

Fabio Bianconi – Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Perugia

Giorgio Buratti – Dipartimento di Design, Politecnico di Milano

Joao Cabeleira – Escola de Arquitetura, Arte e Design, Universidade do Minho

Carlo Campos – Facultad de Arquitectura, Disegno y Urbanismo, Universidad de Buenos Aires

Pedro Manuel Cabezos Bernal – Departamento de Expresión Gráfica Arquitectónica, Universitat Politècnica de València

Antonio Calandriello – Dipartimento di Culture del Progetto, Università IUAV di Venezia

Adriana Caldarone – Dipartimento di Storia, Disegno e Restauro dell’Architettura, Sapienza Università di Roma

Cristina Càndito – Dipartimento Architettura e Design, Università di Genova

Enrico Cicalò – Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari

Christina Conti – Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università degli Studi di Udine

Agostino De Rosa – Dipartimento di Culture del Progetto, Università IUAV, Venezia

Tommaso Empler – Dipartimento di Storia, Disegno e Restauro dell’Architettura, Sapienza Università di Roma

Maria Linda Falcidieno – Dipartimento Architettura e Design, Università di Genova

Marco Filippucci – Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Perugia

Alexandra Fusinetti – Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari

Andrea Giordano – Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Edile e Ambientale, Università di Padova

Teresa Gil-Piqueras – Departamento de Expresión Gráfica Arquitectónica, Universitat Politècnica de València

Manuela Incerti – Dipartimento di Architettura, Università degli Studi di Ferrara

Laura Farroni – Dipartimento di Architettura, Università degli studi Roma Tre

Alessandro Meloni – Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, Università di Pisa

Valeria Menchetelli – Dipartimento di Ingegneria civile ed ambientale, Università degli Studi di Perugia

Alessandra Pagliano – Dipartimento di Architettura, Università di Napoli Federico II

Ivana Passamani – Dipartimento di Ingegneria civile, Architettura, Territorio, Ambiente e di Matematica, Università degli Studi di Brescia

Piergiuseppe Rechichi – Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, Università di Pisa

Leopoldo Repola – Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e delle Risorse, Università di Napoli Federico II

Veronica Riavis – Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università degli Studi di Udine

Michela Rossi – Dipartimento di Design, Politecnico di Milano

Giuseppina Scavuzzo – Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università degli Studi di Trieste

Alessia Segalerba – Dipartimento Architettura e Design, Università di Genova

Andrea Sias – Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari

Roberta Spallone – Dipartimento di Architettura e Design, Politecnico di Torino

Alberto Sdegno – Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura, Università degli studi di Udine

Valeria Tatano – Dipartimento di Culture del Progetto, Università Iuav di Venezia

Paula Trigueiros – Escola de Arquitetura, Universidade do Minho, Portugal

Michele Valentino – Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università degli Studi di Sassari

Ornella Zerlenga – Dipartimento di Architettura e Disegno Industriale, Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”

Organised by Department of Energy, Systems, Land and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa

Under the patronage of