Championing universal design with the CIVITAS Replication and Deployment Programme
Image by Kadiköy by Amri Comaee / Unsplash
Working for cities and with cities, the CIVITAS Replication and Deployment Programme was created to address real-life challenges in sustainable urban mobility. This programme, which will engage a total of 36 cities over its duration, seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing to develop innovative solutions for urban mobility challenges. The programme is structured according to two cycles, each involving eighteen cities: twelve Champion cities and six Challenge cities.
The CIVITAS Replication and Deployment Programme
The first cycle of the CIVITAS Replication and Deployment Programme will run from October 2023 to August 2025, while the second one will run from January 2025 to February 2027. During each cycle, the participating cities will work collaboratively to address challenges identified by the Challenge cities. This involves focusing on aspects such as organisational issues, operational schemes, enabling technologies, business models, stakeholder engagement, and public policies. The ultimate goal is for each Challenge city to develop a deployment plan that provides an actionable roadmap to solving their specific urban mobility challenge.
Challenge cities: Kadikoy and Komotini
Kadikoy in Turkey and Komotini in Greece have been selected as Challenge cities in the first cycle of the programme. Both cities had put forward challenges related to accessibility and universal design.
Kadikoy aims to address the challenge of improving accessibility and inclusivity in its central neighborhoods of Caferaga, Osmanaga, and Rasimpasa. While initial efforts have been made through the Accessible Kadikoy initiative, there is still a pressing need to enhance the safety and accessibility of public spaces and transportation systems, particularly in light of challenges posed by social functions, such as cafes and restaurants occupying pedestrian areas. Among other objectives, Kadikoy wants to ensure clear and unobstructed pedestrian pathways for better walkability and safety, increase the number of accessible crossings and public transportation facilities, and engage local businesses and residents to promote a more inclusive urban environment.
Komotini seeks to build on its recognised efforts to improve the accessibility of its road and building infrastructure. The city aims to achieve this through integrated and inclusive planning, and involving citizens in decision-making processes. The main challenge is implementing these policies in a protected historical city centre with limited space for mobility and accessibility solutions. Komotini emphasises the importance of involving its most underprivileged citizens in these decisions, believing that these solutions will enhance the city’s reputation as an accessible and welcoming place, thereby fostering economic development and opportunities.
Champion cities support
To assist Kadikoy and Komotini in overcoming their challenges, four cities have been selected as Champion cities: Barcelona (Spain), Łódź (Poland), San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Spain), and Saint-Quentin (France). These Champion cities will share their expertise and best practices through study visits and co-creation workshops. The collaborative efforts will involve external experts and focus on developing creative solutions tailored to the specific needs of the Challenge cities.
Notably, three of these Champion cities have been recognised for their outstanding work in accessibility. San Cristóbal de La Laguna won the first prize, Łódź secured the second prize, and Saint-Quentin took the third prize in the 2024 EU Access City Award. This prestigious award, organised by the European Commission in partnership with the European Disability Forum, celebrates cities that have made significant advancements in becoming more accessible for people with disabilities. Learn more about the up-coming call for the 2025 Award.
