ZuReach: Zurich Urban Reachability & Accessibility Enhancement Through Digital Technology

Sidewalk accessibility issues in Zurich. Photo: Hoda Allahbakhshi

What is ZuReach?

ZuReach is a participatory research project dedicated to improving urban accessibility, particularly for people with mobility restrictions. The project aims to provide a scalable and regularly updated database containing comprehensive sidewalk accessibility information in Zurich. This initiative also plays a pivotal role in advancing digital methods and tools to identify, analyze, and address barriers in the urban environment, thus offering practical solutions for individuals with mobility restrictions. As a result, it holds the potential to make a profound impact across various domains, including social, scientific, political, economic, and environmental arenas.

The project builds on the participatory ZuriACT: Zurich Accessible City project, which enriched sidewalk accessibility data in Zurich’s District 1 between April 2023 and May 2024 and was awarded the Swiss Smart City Hub Award 2024 in the Citizen Services category. With the support of members of public, ZuReach aims to scale insights and solutions citywide, integrating stakeholder perspectives and advancing Zurich as an inclusive city for all to generate real societal impact.

News

22 May 2025

Call for Participants

Do you use a wheelchair, walker, stroller, or sometimes navigate in the city with mobility challenges? Then, your experience matters! Take part in the ZuReach project and help shape Zurich as an accessible city for all.

More about Call for Participants

The ZuReach Team and Partners

Funded by the Digitalization Initiative of the Zurich Higher Education Institutions (DIZH), ZuReach is led by researchers from the Digital Society Initiative at the University of Zurich, in collaboration with many partners.