Diseño de espacios turísticos sensorialmente amigables para Personas neurodivergentes en la ciudad de barranquilla

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