A look into accessibility and urban design in Cyprus

by Melina Theodorou, Communications Officer/Project Manager at RESET

In September, RESET had the opportunity to host the transnational URB.ABLE training at its Social Space in Limassol.

For three days, 14 individuals from seven partner organisatons came together to share ideas, exchange insights, and rethink how we imagine and shape our cities.

The big, inaccessible picture

Across Europe, cities remain full of obstacles that many of us take for granted until we encounter them ourselves. Steps without ramps, buses without proper signage, sidewalks blocked by cars, or buildings without lifts; these are everyday realities for people with disabilities, parents with strollers, or older adults. In fact, one in six people in the EU live with a disability, yet many urban environments are still designed with only the “average” citizen in mind.

It is not surprising, then, that projects like URB.ABLE are so necessary.

URB.ABLE at a glance

URB.ABLE is an Erasmus+ project with a clear mission: to support young people in making their cities more accessible and inclusive.

Over its two-year course, the project will develop a range of materials and activities designed to engage youth and youth workers. These include:

  • Barrier Breakers Handbook: A practical guide to exploring urban accessibility through creative methods.
  • Access-Aware Walkshops: City walks where young people map real-life barriers in their communities.
  • URB.ABLE Platform: A digital hub hosting resources created by young people across Europe.
  • Urban World Cafés: Local events that will connect young changemakers with policymakers.

Together, these activities will form a toolkit that will empower the next generation to reimagine urban life.

Workshops, walks, and worldviews

The training in Limassol lasted three days, bringing together a diverse group of participants, from urban planners to youth workers to anthropologists and architects, each passionate about accessibility and urban transformation.

Through a mix of workshops, a guided city tour, a documentary screening, and collaborative brainstorming sessions, the participants explored practical and creative ways to engage youth and address accessibility challenges.

Each training session covered a range of topics, including:

  • Participatory practices – how to meaningfully involve communities in decision-making.
  • Co-designing methods – creating solutions with, not just for, citizens.
  • Architectural barriers – and strategies to overcome them to ensure truly accessible cities.

So, what do we mean by “accessible cities”?

What exactly do we mean when we talk about accessible cities? Is it ramps for wheelchair users? Wider pavements? Better signage? No cars parked on sidewalks?

Perhaps, it is all of the above – plus a few more.

Accessible cities, however, are not made just by their infrastructure. It is also about mindset shared by their citizens.

An accessible city is a considerate city: one that allows everyone to move freely, safely, and without obstacles. It is a city designed with care and intention, keeping in mind the diverse needs of its residents.

Creating spaces that are welcoming to all requires a bottom-up approach, where citizens, youth, and communities take part in shaping their urban environment.

While policymakers and government officials are responsible for upholding the necessary standards, we also need to reconsider and reshape our own daily habits. We must also reclaim, stand up, and demand what changes are necessary to achieve an equitable civic society.

Placing youth at the heart of change

URB.ABLE does not aim just to redesign streets, pavements and buildings. It has set out to create dialogue and awareness around how we use and shape our shared spaces.

Most importantly, it places young people at the center – not just as observers, but as active agents of change. By engaging youth directly in discussions, mapping activities, and collaborative events, the project is building a new culture of accessibility across Europe by placing future generations at the front seat.

URB.ABLE reminds us: accessible cities are not given, they are made. And they are made collectively, by youth, communities, and policymakers working together for a shared goal – to create cities where everyone fits in.

Join the movement

The training in Limassol training just the beginning. Over the next year, URB.ABLE will continue developing its tools and hosting activities across seven partner countries.

The Barrier Breakers Handbook is expected to be published in 2025, providing a practical resource for anyone interested in exploring accessibility through creative methods. Meanwhile, in 2026, local Access-Aware Walkshops and Urban World Cafés are set to take place, will invite young people to be active agents of change in their communities, exploring urban accessibility and solution development. Through these initiatives, the project will keep building momentum, ensuring that accessibility becomes a shared responsibility as well as a shared achievement.

If you would like to take part in upcoming URB.ABLE activities, get in touch with RESET or your local partner.

Visit the URB.ABLE website to learn more: urbable.eu

Follow URB.ABLE to stay connected with the project and its upcoming activities: Instagram & LinkedIn