The Silver Ways project aims to make footpaths in Mannheim more suitable for senior citizens. An ongoing survey is collecting the experiences of elderly pedestrians. The goal is to improve everyday mobility. Your point of view is important: participate to the survey now!
Many older people depend on easily accessible and safe footpaths in their everyday lives. However, not all paths are truly accessible, smooth, or convenient to use. The international research project Silver Ways aims to change this by investigating how cities can be made more accessible for older residents. The project examines how cities – including Mannheim – can be improved for older pedestrians. For this purpose, a survey is currently being conducted that targets people who regularly walk in the city of Mannheim. Their knowledge and experiences are essential to make the city more livable for everyone.
Better urban mobility with the Silver Ways research project
Silver Ways is a European research project that aims to make cities more pedestrian-friendly, especially for older people. The project is developing an age-friendly digital routing system and 15-Minute Neighborhood Index. This index will show how easily critical amenities such as medical centers, pharmacies, and shopping facilities can be reached on foot.
The project is being rolled out in three phases:
- In the first phase, researchers investigate which routes older people use in their everyday lives. Among other things, they analyze the regular walking routes of older people in urban areas for everyday activities and leisure.
- In the second phase, a routing system is developed that suggests safe and comfortable routes for older people.
- In the third phase, the question of how well different neighborhoods are accessible on foot is addressed. The findings serve as input for urban planning.
The Silver Ways project is carried out by Heidelberg University with HeiGIT (Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology), Uppsala University in Sweden, Abdullah Gül University in Turkey, and the cities of Mannheim, Uppsala, and Kayseri. The project is funded by the European Union as part of the program Driving Urban Transitions.
Take part in the online survey
An online survey for the Silver Ways project is now running. All senior citizens who regularly walk in Mannheim are invited to participate.
Your participation in this survey will help researchers gather important information about your route choices and decision-making criteria when walking. This information will help to better adapt the city´s infrastructure to the needs of older people.
The results of the survey will be directly incorporated into the development of a digital navigation system and into future urban planning. The more people participate, the better the needs of older pedestrians can be taken into account.
Participation is voluntary, anonymous, and can be terminated at any time.
Silver Ways aims to make walking in Mannheim safer and more pleasant. Thank you for your valuable support in creating pedestrian-friendly cities for citizens of all ages!
For more information about the project, visit the Silver Ways website.
