In the field of architecture and urban planning, architectural barrier is called those physical obstacles that prevent people with reduced mobility (PMR) or different abilities from reaching, accessing or moving through an urban space, a building or a part of it. This is the best-known type of accessibility barrier, since it is present in the physical environment and is the one that is most evident to society. Architectural barriers not only hinder or prevent free mobility for people with disabilities, but also for other groups such as the elderly, convalescent people or pregnant women.

For example, sidewalk curbs are architectural barriers, as they prevent people with wheelchairs from moving easily around cities. So are stairs without an alternative route through ramps or elevators. There are other types of barriers such as excessively narrow sidewalks or street furniture arranged in a way that hinders mobility.

In Spain, the General Law on the rights of people with disabilities and their social inclusion (

Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013, of November 29, which recasts a 2003 law) establishes the obligation to eliminate architectural barriers in the urban environment, buildings and public transport by 2017, provided that the necessary works are "reasonable adjustments".[1]​.

Since 2008, violating accessibility or equal opportunity standards may result in fines of up to one million euros.[2] People with disabilities, their families and legal representatives, as well as the representative organizations and associations in which they belong, can report such violations to provincial Labor and Social Security Inspections, Duty Courts and the Accessibility and Technical Aid Complaints Office (ODAT).

There are various associations or organizations that try to promote the elimination of this type of accessibility barriers, such as ONCE and IMSERSO. It is also worth highlighting the work carried out by regional and local associations such as the Physical Disabled of Aragon (DFA), which founded in 1976 has managed to mediate the labor integration of 5,000 people with disabilities. In 2002 he received the Reina Sofía Award for Rehabilitation and Integration and the Silver Cross of the Civil Order for Social Solidarity. In 2006 he celebrated his 30th anniversary and received the Gold Medal for Merit at Work.