Urban accessibility: how to build cities for everyone

Urban accessibility is n't just about putting a ramp here and there: it's about how everyone moves around, finds their way, and enjoys the city, regardless of age or physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities. When streets, squares, buildings, and services aren't designed for everyone, the city becomes a daily obstacle course.

Endless staircases, narrow or cluttered sidewalks, impossible curbs, inaccessible bus stops… these are details that many people overlook without a second thought, but for someone with reduced mobility, a visual, hearing, or intellectual disability , or for seniors or families with strollers, they represent a huge obstacle to their independence. Making our cities accessible is not a luxury or an extra; it's a matter of rights and quality of life.

What is urban accessibility and why does it matter so much?

When we talk about accessibility or accessible urban mobility , we are referring to the real possibility for any person to move around their urban environment, access public spaces and services, and participate in city life safely, comfortably, and without discrimination. It is not enough to simply be able to get there "however possible": accessibility must be universal.

This concept encompasses both elements that facilitate mobility (well-designed ramps, stable pavements, clear signage, accessible public transport) and architectural barriers that hinder it (steps, uneven surfaces, narrow doorways, sidewalks full of obstacles, lack of visual contrast, etc.). Identifying these barriers is the first step towards eliminating them.

In an ideal scenario, city design would be based from the outset on "design for all ," meaning spaces would be designed to be usable by the greatest possible number of users without the need for subsequent adaptations. In fact, some European cities have already been recognized for making significant progress in this direction, such as Luxembourg, Helsinki, and Barcelona, ​​which stand out for their extensively accessible public transport networks and comprehensive approach to urban accessibility.

Unfortunately, in many municipalities, reality falls far short of this ideal: hostile environments, impossible slopes, scarce or unclear signage, and unadapted public buildings persist. Hence the need to combine regulations, planning, technical solutions, and a genuine culture of inclusion to transform cities step by step.

Main architectural barriers in the city

Architectural barriers are all those physical or communication obstacles that prevent or hinder a person from using a space independently. When you go out into the street and observe them, you discover that the list is much longer than it initially appears.

These barriers affect each group differently: getting around in a wheelchair is not the same as using a white cane, a walker, or having a hearing impairment or cognitive difficulties. Therefore, urban accessibility must consider a diversity of situations and not be limited to wheelchairs alone, which is a common mistake.

Barriers in public and private buildings

Buildings, both public and privately owned but open to the public (shops, offices, health centers, cultural facilities, etc.), often conceal many accessibility issues in their common areas. Some common examples are:

• Counters that are too high in receptions, offices or premises, which make it difficult to serve people in wheelchairs or of short stature.
• Narrow or heavy doors that do not meet the minimum clear width, or revolving doors without an accessible alternative.
• Narrow corridors and passagewayswith tight turns or full of furniture that prevent maneuvering with a wheelchair or scooter.
• Very steep stairs or ramps as the only access to the main entrance, with no accessible alternative.
• Slippery floorswith raised carpets, loose cables, or sudden changes in level that pose a risk of falling.
• Pushbuttons, switches and intercoms placed at heights unreachable for many people.

These problems affect not only visitors but also those who work in these buildings. Lack of accessibility limits the right to employment, education, and participation in cultural and social activities, thus becoming a direct factor of exclusion.

Barriers in streets, sidewalks, and public spaces

In the outside world, the shortcomings are equally evident: urban roads and public spaces are often designed from the perspective of the car or the person without a disability, and not from that of groups with diverse needs.

• Sidewalks that are too narrow or with streetlights, signs, parked motorcycles and terraces encroaching on the pedestrian walkway.
• Irregular or poor condition pavementswith loose tiles, unpaved areas or raised surfaces that make it very difficult to move around with a walker, cane or wheelchair.
• Streets with very steep slopes which are unaffordable for many people with reduced mobility.
• "Decorative" ramps that do not comply with regulations: excessive slopes, absence of railings, lack of landings, etc.
• Stairs with no accessible alternativeFor example, in changes of level between squares, walkways or access points to buildings.
• Bus stops, metro or train stations without accessible routes, without elevators, or with large unresolved slopes.
• Traffic lights without audible signal and without clear tactile or visual information for crossing safely.
• Absence of information in braille or relief on billboards, city maps, push buttons or vending machines.

In short, many environments are still designed for those who can walk, see, and hear without difficulty, leaving out those who don't fit that mold. Changing this perspective and prioritizing accessible and continuous pedestrian routes is key to true accessibility.

Guidelines, regulations and accessibility criteria in municipalities

Progress in urban accessibility is not based solely on good intentions: there is a regulatory and technical framework that sets the guidelines to follow. In Spain, Order TMA/851/2021 stands out , establishing the basic accessibility requirements in urbanized public spaces, along with technical documents such as the “Accessibility Guide in Urbanized Public Spaces V.1.0”.

These tools define how streets, squares, parks, and facilities should be designed to be safely usable by all citizens. The aim is not to impose a particular city style, but to guarantee minimum conditions of use and safety that respect human diversity.

Pedestrian routes and accessible crossings

One of the most important concepts is that of an accessible pedestrian route : the route that a person takes to travel on foot (or with technical aids) must maintain continuity and minimum conditions.

• Clear passage width of at least 1,80 m to allow two people to cross, one of them in a wheelchair.
• Sidewalks free of obstaclesFurniture, signs, planters or terraces must be located outside the circulation area.
• Adapted pedestrian ramps and crossingswith appropriate slopes, lowered curbs and tactile paving where appropriate.
• Traffic lights with visual and audible signalsand, when necessary, tactile information on the pavement or on pushbuttons.
• Sufficient and uniform lighting to improve the perception of space and avoid dangerous shadow areas.

At complex intersections or very long crossings, refuge islands are recommended where people can safely stop. All of this helps ensure that getting around the city isn't an obstacle course for anyone.

Parks, squares and green areas

Leisure spaces must also be accessible. Parks, green areas, squares, and other open spaces must have stable and continuous surfaces , avoiding loose sand, deep gravel, or very uneven terrain as the only option for passage.

Street furniture—benches, litter bins, drinking fountains, playground equipment, bicycle parking—should be strategically placed so as not to obstruct pedestrian traffic, to be easily identifiable, and to offer usability for different users (benches with backrests and armrests, for example). Inclusive play areas with accessible features are increasingly in demand.

Public buildings, shops and leisure

Town halls, health centers, libraries, sports centers, and all types of public facilities must comply with universal accessibility criteria . This includes:

• Accessible entrances without steps, or with suitable ramps.
• Accessible elevators when there are significant floor changes.
• Clear, understandable signage and, where possible, in different formats (visual, tactile, auditory).
• Interior spaces with wide, unobstructed paths and chromatic contrasts.

In the case of commercial and leisure establishments (shops, restaurants, cinemas, concert halls), the objective is that any person can access, move around and use the services under similar conditions to everyone else: entrances without steps, accessible toilets, clear information, reserved seats in spectator areas, etc.

Beach areas, parking lots and public areas

In coastal municipalities, accessibility also extends to beaches and their surrounding urban areas . This includes providing accessible walkways, adapted showers, shaded areas, clear signage, and tactile paving where appropriate, so that access to the sea is not a privilege for a select few.

Furthermore, urban design must consider:

• Accessible street furniture: suitable benches, ischial supports, adapted toilet cubicles.
• Reserved parking spaces with clear signage and an accessible route to the sidewalk.
• Reserved spaces in venues with spectators (stadiums, auditoriums, bullrings, etc.) with good visibility and safety conditions.
• Shared transit zones between pedestrians and vehicles, properly delimited and signposted, avoiding dangerous confusion.
• Accessible emergency exits in public establishments, with clear visual and acoustic signage and barrier-free routes.

All of this shapes a vision of accessibility as a structural factor in urban planning, and not as an afterthought.

Tactile pavements: the silent “voice” of the city

For people with visual impairments, pavement becomes a valuable information system. Tactile pavements are surfaces with a specific texture that can be felt with a cane or through the soles of the feet, conveying key messages about the surrounding environment.

These elements can warn of an upcoming crossing, a change in level, the arrival at a subway or train platform, or the location of a safe route. However, to be effective, it's not enough to simply place them haphazardly: their design, location, contrast, and continuity must comply with regulations and technical recommendations.

When installed correctly, tactile paving allows many blind or visually impaired people to move around much more independently, without constantly relying on assistants. Conversely, poor placement or haphazard implementation creates confusion and can even increase the risk of accidents.

The key is to understand these pavements as a “silent language” of the city that must be coherent, continuous, and legible. Interrupting them without reason, mixing them with very similar decorative textures, or encroaching on them with street furniture destroys their functionality and disrupts the chain of safety.

Unique platforms and safety for people with visual disabilities

In recent years, many cities have promoted the design of level surfaces , that is, streets where the difference in height between the sidewalk and the roadway is eliminated. The idea is to create more welcoming and shared spaces, but their implementation has raised concerns about safety and accessibility, especially for people with visual impairments.

The Spanish National Organization of the Blind (ONCE) has studied this topic in depth in its work on “Types of Single Platforms: Accessibility Conditions”, where the risks derived from an unclear design are analyzed and specific criteria are proposed to make these spaces truly inclusive.

Types of unique platforms

In general, two main types of unique platforms can be distinguished in the urban environment:

• Single shared transit platformPedestrians and vehicles share the same space, with priority given to pedestrians. This is common in traffic-calmed streets.
• Single platform for differentiated transitThere are no curbs, but pedestrian and vehicle zones are differentiated by means of paving, alignments or design elements.

The problem arises when this differentiation is not clear or is based only on visual cues, making it difficult for visually impaired people to easily identify where it is safe to walk and where cars are driving.

Safety issues and design criteria

According to ONCE (the Spanish National Organization of the Blind), the indiscriminate use of single-level platforms without clear accessibility criteria leads to disorientation and risk . The absence of a physical curb makes it difficult to know where the pedestrian space ends and the roadway begins, especially for those who use a cane for orientation.

To reduce these risks, the study proposes a series of essential criteria:

• Real priority of the pedestrian throughout the area, providing traffic calming measures and adequate signage.
• Differentiated tactile-visual pavements that allow clearly distinguishing pedestrian and vehicular space, with contrasts in texture and, where possible, color.
• Higher security zones for pedestrians, with a minimum width of 1,80 m, identifiable by continuous tactile pavement strips.
• Removal of obstacles in the guide strips and absolute respect for the tactile routes, without invading them with terraces, parking lots or furniture.

Without these elements, single platforms can turn a theoretically friendly urban space into a confusing environment for those who rely on tactile and auditory cues to get around.

Stairlift and short-rise elevator solutions

There are situations where simply building an accessible ramp isn't feasible, whether due to lack of space, excessive slopes, or architectural constraints (for example, in historic buildings). In these cases, stairlifts become essential solutions , designed to overcome differences in level and connect floors safely.

Stairlift platforms

Stairlifts are lifting systems that allow users to overcome flights of stairs in buildings or public spaces, both indoors and outdoors. They consist of a folding or collapsible platform on which the person sits, either in a wheelchair or seated in an integrated seat.

Among its typical features are:

• Capacity to transport wheelchairs of different sizes.
• Adaptable to straight or curved stairs, indoors and outdoors.
• Discrete integration in existing architecture, taking up little space when folded.
• Installation is generally simple, without major construction or deep pits.
• Multiple parking and folding options to clear the passageway.

They are very useful for accessing apartment building entrances, buildings with stairwells, commercial premises with few steps, or facilities where a conventional elevator is not feasible. Specialized companies have been installing these types of solutions throughout Spain for years, helping thousands of people gain independence and safety in their daily commutes.

Vertical or short-rise elevators

Another commonly used solution is the short-rise vertical platform lift , designed to overcome limited height differences, typically between 3 and 4 meters. Unlike traditional elevators, these are usually installed practically at ground level, without the need for a deep pit.

This makes them an ideal choice for:

• Existing buildings with little space for a full elevator.
• Historical spaces or museums, where a minimally invasive intervention is sought.
• Commercial premises, restaurants or facilities with a small change in level.
• Uses both in indoors and outdoorsthanks to models designed for outdoor use.

Their ability to integrate seamlessly into architectural design and their minimal civil engineering requirements make them a key element of accessibility in established buildings. Combined with ramps, elevators, and stairlifts, they allow for the resolution of many level changes that previously presented an insurmountable barrier for many people.

Accessibility, responsible design and smart cities

Accessibility can no longer be seen as an add-on placed at the end of a project "just to tick a box." It is increasingly clear that it must be part of the DNA of urban and architectural design from the planning phase: considering accessibility from the very beginning improves both people's lives and the quality of the design itself.

For architecture, engineering, and urban planning, this means making decisions that take into account the diversity of users: people with visual, hearing, or intellectual disabilities, people with reduced mobility, children, the elderly, occasional users, etc. Designing for this variety not only doesn't compromise quality, but it also creates more intuitive, legible, and comfortable spaces for everyone.

In the context of smart cities , accessibility extends beyond the physical environment to encompass the digital realm as well. A truly smart city integrates technologies and services that leave no one behind: user-friendly e-government, accessible applications, clear digital signage, real-time information systems that support different formats and approaches such as digital humanism , and so on.

Smart mobility—connected vehicles, advanced traffic management, on-demand transport—must be accompanied by accessibility criteria for stops, vehicles, user interfaces, and information channels. Furthermore, urban robotics can contribute to more inclusive solutions. Otherwise, technological innovations risk widening the gap between those who can benefit from them and those who are left behind.

Energy also plays a crucial role: energy efficiency and self-consumption projects not only reduce environmental impact but can also help lower economic barriers and improve access to basic supplies, especially for vulnerable groups. And without affordable and reliable energy, ensuring energy independence is difficult (think of elevators, stairlifts, alarm systems, etc.).

Urban accessibility projects and best practices

Beyond theory, many Spanish cities are implementing concrete plans and projects to improve the accessibility of their urban spaces. Often, this work is carried out in collaboration with specialized organizations and companies committed to inclusion.

Some representative examples are:

• Accessibility tourist guides, such as the one developed in Fuengirola, which compile in detail what resources, services and spaces are accessible, allowing residents and visitors to plan their stay according to their needs.
• Comprehensive municipal accessibility plans, such as that of the Alcantarilla City Council, which comprehensively analyze the state of accessibility in public spaces, buildings, transport and services, and define a short, medium and long term intervention strategy.

These projects demonstrate that accessibility is not merely a technical issue, but a cross-cutting approach that impacts tourism, commerce, employment, culture, and community life . Furthermore, they benefit from the participation of expert companies and organizations (such as ILUNION and ONCE in the field of visual impairment) that contribute specialized knowledge and practical experience.

The result is not just compliance with the law, but building fairer, more competitive and attractive municipalities, capable of welcoming all kinds of people and harnessing the economic and social potential of a diverse population.

Access to rights, aid and citizen participation

The responsibility for improving urban accessibility does not fall solely on government agencies and urban planning professionals. People with disabilities and their families play a vital role, both by advocating for their rights and by participating in assessment and design processes.

An important step is the official recognition of disability through the Disability Certificate , which is requested from the relevant authority in each autonomous community. Once an assessment exceeds a certain threshold (for example, more than 33% or, according to specific scales, certain minimum points), access is granted to social and economic resources and benefits that can help alleviate some of the barriers in one's environment.

Among these resources is the parking permit for people with reduced mobility , which allows them to use reserved spaces and facilitates access to essential facilities and services. However, this is only a starting point: the rest depends on administrations, businesses, and professionals recognizing that accessibility is a mandatory criterion in the daily management of the city.

Citizen participation, actively listening to associations and organizations of people with disabilities, and the continuous evaluation of implemented policies are key to ensuring that urban accessibility doesn't remain merely theoretical. A city that incorporates the perspectives of those who face the greatest barriers is a city that learns, innovates, and becomes more livable for everyone.

Looking at the city through the lens of accessibility reveals that many of the obstacles that seem "normal" today are, in fact, avoidable. With clear regulations, responsible design, well-targeted technology, and the joint involvement of government, businesses, and citizens, streets, buildings, and services can be transformed into environments where moving around, finding your way, and participating cease to be a challenge and become as simple as it should always have been.