Sidewalk Spatial Accessibility in Zurich for Mobility Restricted Persons

Imagine navigating the city with limited mobility. A narrow sidewalk, a too-steep ramp, a high curb, stairs, or other obstacles can turn a simple walk into a challenge. This is the reality for some people in Zurich. Existing routing services and digital maps often do not provide useful routing guidance for these groups because detailed sidewalk accessibility information is missing. This is where the ZuriACT project steps in. As a pilot citizen science project between the University of Zurich and the City of Zurich, ZuriACT aims to remedy this situation. It creates the basis for citizens to contribute to enriching spatial accessibility data on sidewalks in Zurich. The picture illustrates the ZuriACT Scientifica event, where participants experience a walk and learn how obstacles affect people with mobility impairments.
by Hoda Allahbakhshi