Bietigheim-Bissingen on the way to accessibility: What is still missing?

Bietigheim-Bissingen on the way to accessibility: What is still missing?

Bietigheim-Bissingen is working intensively on barrier-free urban design that is accessible to all citizens. In new buildings, the city requires that at least one floor be barrier-free. This also applies to the Bietigheimer Wohnbau projects. Access to existing buildings will be made future-oriented by examining the subsequent installation of elevators to provide unrestricted access to all citizens.

Another important aspect of accessibility in Bietigheim-Bissingen is the equipment of playgrounds. These will be equipped with special equipment for children with mobility limitations so that all children can play and learn equally.

Inclusive cultural offerings

The city's cultural department has taken innovative measures to promote cultural participation. Included introductions and live audio descriptions for the visually impaired make theater performances accessible. In addition, interested people can take virtual tours of the Hornmoldhaus City Museum, which makes cultural education easier for everyone.

In addition, tactile maps are offered that make the Bietigheim-Bissingen district come alive. This initiative shows that the approach to inclusion not only includes structural aspects, but also raising awareness and experiencing urban space.

Challenges in public spaces

Despite this progress, there are challenges that need to be addressed. Hans-Joachim Sämann, an active member of the Barrier-free City of Bietigheim-Bissingen association, points out problems such as wobbling floor slabs and loose paving stones in the pedestrian zone. These deficiencies particularly endanger people with mobility limitations. Sämann blames delivery traffic and calls for significant restrictions to increase safety.

Another concern relates to outdoor catering and advertising displays, which often block passage. In order to ensure the safety and comfort of all passers-by, especially those with physical limitations, Sämann is calling for the ban on cycling in the pedestrian zone to be marked. At events with large crowds, the festival areas should also be closed to cyclists to avoid collisions.

Cycling and public spaces

In order to improve the traffic situation for Pedelec drivers and families with small children, the Bürgergarten should be made bike-free. The mayor emphasizes that public space is clearly regulated and calls for mutual consideration. As part of the cycle path concept, cycle traffic will be relocated from Wobachstrasse to the other side of the river to Holzgartenstrasse in order to guarantee safe traffic flow.

Efforts toward inclusive urban planning are part of a larger trend that focuses on the equal participation of all citizens. The Guide to Accessible Building, supported by the 2016 amendment to the Disability Equality Act, promotes the creation of accessible buildings and spaces for people with various disabilities, as outlined in the information from leitfadenbarrierfreebuilding.de is highlighted.

Successful inclusive urban planning requires cooperation between politics, administration, architects, urban planners and civil society. The approach is promoted through measures such as public citizen participation and taking into account the needs of all residents, which is also reflected in the results of the initiative useyourplacethenstaywirthere.de becomes clear. Bietigheim-Bissingen has set out to address these challenges and is thereby setting important standards for barrier-free and inclusive urban development.

These ongoing accessibility efforts reflect a deeply rooted value system that focuses on the quality of life of all citizens, including the Bietigheim newspaper reports make clear.