Flexible and inclusive housing: adaptation to the changing needs of inhabitants
Authors: Bosia Daniela , Marchiano Giulia 
Published: November 2024

The ONU Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities specifies that the built environment must adapt to human needs and not vice versa. This applies to everyone: the quality of life also depends on the quality of living, on the responsiveness of the living space to the needs of the person. The user—the inhabitant—is placed at the center of the project, and the house changes according to the changing needs of the users.Limiting the field to different residential forms, home environments must be designed and built flexibly so that they can be easily adapted to housing needs, which are never static but can also change substantially for a lifetime due to various factors, such as aging, illness, disability, or changes in family structure.Housing flexibility is based on two basic principles: adaptability and accessibility. Adaptability implies the ability to change interior spaces quickly and inexpensively, while accessibility refers to the possibility for all people, regardless of physical, perceptual, cognitive, cultural, etc. conditions, not only to use the dwelling without barriers but to live their home life under the best conditions.One of the issues related to changing housing needs over time is the aging of the population, which brings with it not only problems of mobility and fatigue but often also disability and loneliness. Older people require more accessible and safe home spaces and services to encourage socialization and maintain an active life. Elements such as handrails, ramps, stair elevators, and adapted bathrooms can make a big difference in the quality of life for older people. Flexible homes often incorporate these elements early in the design phase, enabling more comfortable aging in one's own home. Technology can be an indispensable support in facilitating home life for more than just older people: home automation systems, and smart home solutions make it possible to control the home environment and adapt it to different needs simply and inclusively, facilitating use by people with physical disabilities or motor limitations.Illnesses and disabilities can also affect housing needs. A flexible home might include spaces that can be easily modified to allow the installation of medical devices, such as hospital beds, lifts, or home therapy equipment. In addition, larger spaces may be needed to allow for wheelchairs or other mobility aids. The goal is to ensure that residents can receive care and assistance at home without moving to healthcare facilities. Special housing needs may also be generated by special conditions of a growing segment of the population affected by, for example, the autism spectrum. In this case, accessibility becomes more complex, requiring special attention and dedicated solutions, which are possible only from a thorough analysis of the users' needs.Another important aspect is the transformation of the family structure. Flexible homes can be designed to adapt to changes in family composition, such as the arrival of children, the inclusion of elderly family members, or family separation. In this case, flexibility could be read at the micro-urban level, with a system of "interchangeable" housing and services available.In conclusion, housing flexibility is essential to address the changing needs of inhabitants. Designing and building homes with this concept in mind improves people's quality of life and promotes a greater degree of autonomy and inclusiveness. As the population ages and housing needs become more diverse, flexible housing will become increasingly important in the contemporary housing landscape.