Conclusions
The common denominator of all these accessible cities is that the planning process has taken not less than 15 years and the city inhabitants, local government, architects, designers and other professionals, associations of disabled people and administrators have worked together continuously with common goals.
In all these cases a high level of awareness, sensitivity and respect for accessibility and the disabled has been achieved.
In Edmonton, the Pedway System is a comprehensive plan of all accessibility information relating to the city and can be used as an excellent guide for any part of the downtown area of the city. Over nearly 30 years, DATS, the Disabled Adults Transit Service, has proved to be an efficient door to door transport system for disabled adults from 16 years upwards.
In Copenhagen, almost all the population travel to work by public transport or bicycle or on foot. More public transport and the release of parking spaces for pedestrians and cyclists have been a great success. The Copenhagen Metro is, today, the best example of underground transport accessibility and should be used as a reference.
Berlin has achieved great improvements in accessibility in public spaces and buildings since reunification in 1989. The Sony Centre in the Potsdamer Platz is a good example of a new concept of public space and accessibility for all. The public toilets have solved the problems of people with any kind of reduced mobility, the elderly and people with babies.
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