Digitizing Physical Accessibility in Urban Scenes: From Point Cloud Processing to GIS-Based Analysis

Abstract. Urban accessibility is a crucial factor in achieving inclusive and sustainable development, as emphasized by Goal 11 of the UN 2030 Agenda. This paper presents the early outcomes of the PRIN 2022 research project “ACROSS: A static and dynamic database for historic urban contexts accessibility”, funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research. The ACROSS project explores innovative methodologies for assessing and enhancing accessibility within historic urban centers, focusing on the integration of Geomatics and data-driven approaches. Specifically, it aims to generate both static and dynamic databases that support inclusive urban planning by identifying permanent and temporary physical barriers. The research involves three academic institutions: the University of Brescia, Politecnico di Milano, and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, each contributing to different aspects of the project. Central to the methodology is the use of Handheld Mobile Laser Scanners (HMLS) for acquiring dense and accurate 3D point clouds of Mantua’s historic core. Data collection strategies were optimized for minimal urban disturbance, and the acquired datasets underwent classification and feature extraction to identify accessibility-related elements such as sidewalks, pole-like structures, trash cans, and covered areas. A semi-automated workflow was developed to extract geometric parameters and convert them into GIS-ready layers. These layers were integrated with municipal and open-source datasets into a comprehensive GIS platform, supporting multi-criteria analysis and accessible path planning. Preliminary results confirm the suitability of HMLS for urban surveys and highlight the importance of integrating manual refinement with algorithmic processing to handle class-specific segmentation. The findings reinforce the value of Geomatics in supporting inclusive urban planning, offering a replicable framework for other historic cities seeking to enhance accessibility through digital and spatial analysis. Future developments will expand the GIS database and explore AI-based solutions for dynamic accessibility management.