Abstract:
This project proposes the adaptation and creation of sensory-friendly spaces in tourist
locations in the metropolitan area of Barranquilla, Atlántico, with a general focus on
neurodivergent people and, specifically, on autistic people. Recognizing that neurodiversity
encompasses a wide range of neurological conditions, such as autism, ADHD, epilepsy, among
others, that affect perception and interaction with the environment. The project responds to an
urgent need in the tourism sector, where the lack of adapted spaces limits the quality of the
experience for this group. The proposal emerges as a solution to the absence of inclusive
approaches for people with invisible disabilities in Colombian tourism, with the aim of designing
environments that consider the specific sensory needs of neurodivergent people, minimizing the
risks of sensory overload, crises, anxiety, and discomfort.
Based on principles of neurodiversity, urban tourism, rural tourism, and multisensory
design, this project highlights the importance of respecting and taking into account neurological
differences as an essential part of human diversity. The methodology is based on a mixed
approach: qualitative methods will be used to identify the needs and perceptions of
neurodivergent people, and quantitative methods will be used to assess sensory accessibility in
tourist environments. Data collection will be carried out using primary sources, such as surveys,
focus groups, and interviews; secondary sources, including literature reviews and accessibility
regulations; and tertiary sources, including reference documents, regulations, information
platforms, and institutional databases. The expected results are to identify spaces that need
recovery areas for neurodivergent people who are overstimulated by tourist activity, propose
designs and strategies that improve sensory accessibility, and lay the foundations for greater
inclusion of neurodivergent people in Colombia's tourism offerings, thus achieving true
enjoyment of tourist experiences for all people in general
