Produced by the Municipal Institute for People with Disabilities (IMPD), the analysis is part of the first stage of the Barcelona Universal Accessibility Plan 2018-2026. The plan aims to achieve a friendlier city for people with disabilities, the elderly, children, babies and families.

In all, over 1,100 kilometres of streets in 69 neighbourhoods were analysed through ten parameters and 170,000 accessibility indicators. The ten parameters looked at paving, slopes, changes in levels, support and protection elements, reserved access areas, tactile paving, obstacles, width of spaces, width of traffic islands and reserved spaces. Besides public streets and squares, the study also included an analysis of the sphere of public transport and the city’s various services and facilities.

Some 94% of paving is accessible, as are 73% of slopes, which have gradients equal to or less than 6%. Slopes which are steeper than this are to be found in mountainous areas or on hills, where support elements such as handrails, rails, lifts and escalators must continue to be added.

Tactile paving is one the biggest challenges for the city and is essential for people with visual disabilities to get their bearings in public space. It is correctly installed in 36% of cases at present, but not properly installed in 10% of cases. This type of paving still needs to be added in 54% of cases.

Transport is another important sphere when it comes to accessibility. The preliminary analysis from 2018 included in the study confirms that 91% of the rail network has accessible access routes. On the metro network, 140 of the 154 stations are accessible.

International recognition

Barcelona gained a bronze in the Access City Award 2022, promoted by the European Commission and recognising efforts to improve universal access based on the analysis of public space, transport, facilities and services.

Yet there are challenges which must continue to be addressed to achieve a 100% sustainable city. This is the goal of the following stages in the plan: the proposal of solutions and the planning and implementation of action.

In this respect, the Barcelona Universal Accessibility Strategy 2022-2030 sets out the foundations for planning action, internal systems and external participation, plus the calendar for integrating accessibility in the way that the various districts and areas go about things. The idea is for it to be taken into consideration right from the outset in any project, ensuring compliance with current regulations on accessibility and avoiding the need for corrective action at a later stage.

According to the latest available data, from 2019, there are more than 151,000 people in Barcelona with a recognised degree of disability, some 9.28% of the overall population.