Access City Award – How to choose your next destination in Europe
Are you about to choose your next travel or study destination in Europe? Look no further than the Access City Award! This prestigious award was established by the European Commission and it recognises cities that prioritise accessibility. Winners are chosen annually through a rigorous selection process. In 2022, Luxembourg won the top prize and Helsinki (Finland) and Barcelona (Spain) came in second and third place. Keep reading to find out more about visiting these countries and enjoying your studies abroad.
Contents:
- Access City Award
- Standards and best practices
- Access City Award Winners 2022
- Luxembourg
- Transport and Infrastructure
- University: Université du Luxembourg
- Discovering the city and its surroundings
- Helsinki
- Transport and Infrastructure
- University: Helsingin Yliopisto
- Discovering the city and its surroundings
- Barcelona
- Transport and Infrastructure
- Studying in Barcelona
- Discovering the city and socialising
Discovering Accessible Cities in Europe: Standards and Best Practices
What makes a city truly accessible? To determine accessibility, both a national and a European jury evaluate if certain measures have been implemented in the following areas:
- Environment and public spaces: access to beaches, parks, squares, libraries, and museums must be granted to people of all ages and abilities. Public spaces are essential for encouraging inclusive social interaction.
- Transport and infrastructure: buses, trains, and metros must be accessible to everyone enabling people to move about freely in the city.
- Communication, information, and new technologies: information and communication should be available to everyone. Those requiring accessible formats will be provided with information in large print, Braille, video, or via email.
- Public services and facilities: hospitals, educational institutions, and other public spaces must be equipped with wheelchair and mobility lifts, accessible toilets, and elevated walkways, among other features, to ensure accessibility.
Access City Award 2022: Luxembourg, Helsinki, and Barcelona
Discover how effortlessly you can navigate your way through these cities, explore their attractions, join their higher education institutions, and ensure your well-being. We will provide you with all the necessary details below.
Click on the cities to choose your next destination.
Luxembourg
It may seem challenging to picture a city originally planned as a fortress, perched on a rock and encircled by canals, as an easily accessible place. However, the city of Luxembourg has managed just that by earning the top spot for the 2022 Access City Award. This achievement is truly impressive for a capital city of a small country situated between Belgium, France and Germany.
The Luxembourg government is dedicated to accessibility and sustainability whilst focusing on developing eco-friendly and efficient means of public transport. An extensive network of free public transport including buses, trams, and trains covers the entire country.
It’s easy to get to Luxembourg thanks to excellent connections by land and air with the airport just a few kilometres away from the capital and the central station providing access to major European cities like Trier, Brussels, Liège and Paris.
The trump card: Design for all
Luxembourg’s bid for the Accessible Cities Award stood out for its innovative approach to design, aiming to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for people from all walks of life. The proposal included specific considerations for those with motor and sensory disabilities, demonstrating a commitment to accessibility and creativity.
Transport and Infrastructure
Luxembourg’s buses are designed with accessibility in mind, featuring lowered floors, easily reachable stop buttons and notices in braille. Trams have no steps between the platform and the carriage. Audio announcements and screens inform passengers of upcoming stops. Additionally, those with a disability can make use of the Adapto buses, which are available on demand and are free on both weekdays and weekends.
University: Université du Luxembourg
Established in 2003, the university offers a diverse range of educational opportunities with 18 bachelor’s degrees, 49 master’s degrees and four doctoral schools. It takes pride in its multilingual approach offering courses in French/English or French/German, as well as trilingual or fully in English.
- Tuition fees: when it comes to tuition fees, the University of Luxembourg keeps them relatively low with about €400 for the first and second semesters and around €200 for the third to sixth semesters.
- Inclusiveness: the inclusion office is available to provide support and assistance for students with mental, physical, and learning difficulties and disabilities. The Committee of Reasonable Adjustments (CAR) is responsible for resolving any issues that may be faced by students. If you are thinking about studying in Luxembourg, it is recommended that you contact the CAR or the inclusion office. Submit your request before the 31st of October for the winter semester or the 31st of March for the summer semester.
Discovering the city and its surroundings
When embarking on a journey to a new destination, lots of people have a long list of museums, attractions, and places they would like to visit. In Luxembourg, even the fortresses are open to all. Visitors with reduced mobility or disabilities can visit the underground rooms and the museum of Fort Thüngen, which narrates the story of Luxembourg since 1443. In addition, there are many other palaces, museums, and attractions, such as the Grand Ducal Palace of Luxembourg, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg City Museum, and Pfaffenthal Scenic Lift. The Luxembourg City Art Museum, also known as Villa Vauban, also organises guided tours for people with all kinds of disabilities and an exhibition based on the concept “museum for all”.
Helsinki
Helsinki’s successful second-place ranking is attributed to the Accessibility Plan put in place since 2005. This plan has served as a model for other cities in Finland, outlining various measures for infrastructure, means of transport, communication and digital services.
Transport and Infrastructure
Getting around Helsinki is very convenient considering the wide range of public transport, such as buses, metro, tram and even a ferry. All means of transport are accessible to passengers with disabilities such as reduced mobility or visual impairment. The trains, metro and trams have raised platforms aligned with accessible doors. All announcements are audible or visible on displays at arrival and departure stations and on board. Passengers with disabilities can also board ferries and visit the Suomenlinna sea fortress, although seasonal conditions such as ice and snow may pose some challenges. Manual ramps are available on buses, and the drivers are always ready to help when needed.
Passengers who use a manual or electric wheelchair can travel for free.
University: Helsingin Yliopisto
The University of Helsinki is a leading academic institution in Finland. The selection of English-taught courses is more extensive for master’s students compared to those enrolled in three-year programmes.
- Tuition fees: if you are an exchange student or a scholarship holder, you may be exempt from tuition fees. Otherwise, non-EU students enrolled in a full course of study would usually pay fees ranging from €13,000 to €18,000.
- Inclusiveness: the University of Helsinki is dedicated to making its facilities, digital services, course content and study materials accessible. As a student, you can benefit from different types of accommodation that can assist you with your studies or exams. To make use of these services, it is important to reach out to the respective offices and university lecturers in a timely manner and provide any necessary documents or certificates so that you can get the necessary support.
Discovering the city and socialising in Helsinki
In addition to the impressive Suomenlinna Fortress, Helsinki offers indoor and outdoor attractions that are easy to get to. The Oodi Library which opened its doors in 2018, offers a great place to study as well as hosts events and exhibitions. It is user-friendly with plenty of maps and pictograms to help visitors find their way. Additionally, the library helps the visually impaired with Braille signs and floor markers for those who use a cane.
Likewise, nature lovers will be enchanted by Lammassaari. This serene green oasis is located just a short 20-minute bus ride from Helsinki. Although it is part of a nature reserve, it also has a fully accessible wooden path about 3.5 km long (ca. 2.17 miles).
There are also plenty of community centres in Helsinki that offer various organised activities. The Centre for Disabled Immigrants, Hilma, provides suitable assistance and support for people and students with disabilities.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a popular European destination known for its rich art culture. It is indeed the birthplace of Picasso and Miro and the home of Gaudi and Dali. Situated along the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia. In 2018, an accessibility plan was implemented to ensure the city’s inclusivity. By addressing critical issues, Barcelona has taken measures to remove barriers and create a welcoming environment for all residents and visitors.
Transport and Infrastructure
Out of the 165 metro stations, only 12 are not accessible to people with reduced mobility or disabilities. However, all buses are designed to be barrier-free, equipped with ramps and reserved seating. Announcements can be seen on displays or heard audibly, and Braille writing or colour contrast makes reading bus numbers on the ticket machines much easier.
The city has created an inclusive and accessible app that enables users to effortlessly find out about routes, bus stops and nearby attractions. The app provides step-by-step directions for users to follow, and this can simply be done with a quick scan of a QR code. You can scan from up to 15 metres away.
Studying in Barcelona
The city of Barcelona has eight universities, some of which are public and some are private. They are all equally prestigious and ranked among the best in Europe. The top four universities in Barcelona are Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
- Tuition fees: the cost of tuition is determined by the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and ranges from approximately €2300 to €4500 annually for bachelor’s degrees and €2500 to €5500 annually for master’s degrees for non-EU students. Scholarships and exchange programmes are available at each institution, and many courses are taught in English.
- Inclusiveness: the universities in Barcelona provide various accommodations for students with motor and/or cognitive disabilities. For example, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona offers a personalised bus service that allows you to schedule your own campus itinerary. The University of Barcelona also offers the FEM VIA programme, which provides personal and technical support both during your studies and when looking for postgraduate jobs.
Discovering the city and socialising in Barcelona
Barcelona is an arty city with lots of buildings, squares, and streets that look like masterpieces. The Sagrada Familia, Casa Vicens, Montjuïc: it would be a shame if these were not accessible. The accessibility plan has therefore ensured that almost everything, from museums to monuments to beaches, is within everyone’s reach. At barcelona-access.com, users can select and filter points of interest by impairment, area or type of attraction they are interested in.
You will be surprised at the long list of things you can do during your time studying abroad!
Access City Award and wheelchair friendly cities in Europe: conclusion
Keep this information in mind and you will be able to enjoy your trip and study in a barrier-free environment. Luxembourg, Helsinki and Barcelona will give you all the support you need for your adventure. Remember to inform your host institutions and plan your trip in advance. Check out our article to see if you are eligible for a scholarship to one of these European universities.
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