The ZuReach research project is making progress in the systematic mapping of barriers in public spaces. In collaboration with Project Sidewalk, iNovitas AG and the City of Zurich, a web-based platform for surveying pavement accessibility has been launched. It combines a participatory approach with high-resolution street images.
The study “ZuriACT: Zurich Accessible CiTy” has already been published in the Journal of Urban Mobility. Working together with people with mobility impairments, older adults and other stakeholders, a comprehensive dataset on pavement accessibility in Zurich’s District 1 has been created for the first time, comprising over 8,000 validated accessibility points and around 14,500 linear features relating to pavement width and gradient. The data is publicly available and can be used for route planning, urban development and other applications.
The survey is currently continuing in Zurich and is being extended to Winterthur. Anyone wishing to take part can register via the ZuReach website.
More information
- Website ZuReach
- Release integrated Web-Application
- Publication: Allahbakhshi, Hoda; Ardüser, Annina; Rüttimann, François; ZuriACT (2026): Zurich Accessible CiTy – Promoting inclusive urban mobility in Zurich through digitalization and participatory research, Journal of Urban Mobility, Volume 9, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urbmob.2026.100241.
ZuReach is funded in the 3rd Project Call.