Zurich's new mobility map helps older adults navigate the city with ease
A new project in Zurich aims to help older adults and people with limited mobility navigate the city more freely. Researchers at the University of Zurich's Healthy Longevity Center are developing a detailed map to highlight accessible routes and potential obstacles. The initiative comes as experts warn that the growing 'longevity' trend may overlook key factors in healthy ageing.
The Healthy Longevity Center, led by psychologist Dr. Christina Röpcke, is working on a mobility map for Zurich. This tool will pinpoint aids and barriers along pedestrian routes, making it easier for people with limited movement to get around the city. The goal is to encourage an active lifestyle, which studies show can extend life expectancy.
Dr. Röpcke's research challenges the current 'longevity' trend, which often focuses on self-optimisation and controlling health to delay ageing. She argues that this approach can be counterproductive, as it fuels fear of death and ignores environmental factors. The World Health Organization also stresses that mobility depends heavily on how accessible a person's surroundings are.
Despite the push for better mobility, Switzerland lacks current data on how many people use aids like wheelchairs or walking sticks. There is also no information on which regions or cities have the highest usage rates. Röpcke emphasises that accepting limitations, rather than fighting them, is essential for a good quality of life in later years.
The Zurich mobility map will provide practical support for those with movement difficulties. By improving access to the city, it could help more people stay active for longer. Meanwhile, experts continue to highlight the need for a broader understanding of healthy ageing—one that includes both personal and environmental factors.
