For individuals with disabilities, navigating a city can be difficult, especially when accessibility data is outdated or incomplete. To tackle this challenge, CommuniCity launched a pilot in Helsinki and Tallinn during its second round of open calls, using crowdsourced mapping to enhance urban accessibility. This initiative was led in partnership with Riesa Consultative Oy and Crowdsorsa.
Co-Creation in Action
This initiative engaged city representatives, accessibility experts, and end-users in a collaborative process to map key accessibility features such as pedestrian crossings, pathways, and audio beacons. Participants used the Crowdsorsa mobile game to collect real-time data, ensuring that accessibility information was up to date and relevant to those who need it most.
Workshops played a crucial role in shaping the pilot. End-users and municipal stakeholders worked together to identify challenges, refine data collection methods, and propose improvements. Transparency and adaptability were key, allowing for real-time adjustments based on participant feedback.
Solution and Impact
The collected data provides cities with valuable insights to enhance accessibility planning and infrastructure. Key benefits include:
-A more inclusive approach to urban design based on real user experiences
-Improved data for municipal decision-making on accessibility measures
-Strengthened engagement between local governments and marginalised communities
While focused on individuals with disabilities, the pilot also benefits the wider public by making urban navigation easier for all. This initiative reinforces CommuniCity’s commitment to citizen-centred innovation, demonstrating how co-creation can drive meaningful urban improvements.
The Communicity pilots from the Third Round of Open Calls are currently running until the end of May 2025.