VIRTUAL Manchester Livable Cities
Abstract
Wayfinding constitutes a fundamental component in healthcare, ensuring physical and cognitive accessibility—often overlooked, yet critical in such settings. The ongoing architectural transformation of the Giannina Gaslini Institute, within a broader process of urban healthcare regeneration, represents an emblematic case of infrastructural renewal. This internationally recognized pediatric hospital, currently organized in a pavilion-based layout, is evolving through the construction of a new main building and refurbishment of existing ones. This transition offers a valuable opportunity to design internal routes from the ground up through an integrated, user-centered approach. Special attention will be given to the redesign of internal routes, taking into account the needs of patients, families, healthcare professionals, and logistics staff. The research therefore aims to explore inclusive and flexible solutions capable of addressing a wide range of user needs. The authors propose an advanced wayfinding system, potentially applicable to other healthcare facilities, based on the design of new routes guided by criteria of accessibility and intuitiveness. The study began with the analysis of architectural barriers using QGIS, which enabled their mapping and identification of critical issues. Co-design methodologies involve end users, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in a participatory process to define shared and effective solutions. In accordance with the new Public Procurement Code, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is mandatory for public structures, and its use is already required in ongoing projects. Building on this obligation, the idea of extending BIM to the overall hospital management is a future development we will begin exploring in the near future.
Federico Campanini is a Ph.D. student in Logistics and Transport at the University of Genoa and Mobility Manager at the Giannina Gaslini Pediatric Hospital. He holds a degree in Building Engineering–Architecture, with a thesis on the potential of urban districts as testbeds for the application of Industry 4.0 technologies in cities. His research focuses on urban mobility planning, innovative transport services, and user engagement through digital nudging.
Francesca Rocca is a designer who pursues innovation through a thoughtful design approach, where form and function achieve an effective balance. Attention to detail informs every stage of her creative process. After earning a degree in Product Design from IUAV University of Venice, she began a Ph.D. in “Design for Inclusion” at the University of Genoa in collaboration with the Giannina Gaslini Pediatric Hospital. Her research focuses on developing accessible and inclusive solutions, with particular attention to vulnerable users. She is currently working on hospital wayfinding systems to improve orientation and enhance the experience within healthcare environments.
Simone Falco is a PhD student in Bioengineering, graduated from the University of Genoa. He is currently pursuing an industrial PhD in Bioengineering applied to Clinical Engineering at the IRCCS Giannina Gaslini Hospital. His project began with the assessment of technological needs for a new hospital building and progressively expanded to include the management of medical devices, digitalization of related processes, the development of an HTA evaluation workflow, and the analysis of data on medical device-related issues and broader hospital criticalities. His research interests include the implementation of evaluation processes for medical devices and their maintenance events using machine learning techniques to support prioritization of purchases and replacements. He is also focused on the use of specialized software for analysing patient flows in hospitals to optimize logistics and space utilisation, with particular attention to both patient experience and medical device allocation.
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Thursday 18th June, 2026