Four German cities test obstacle-free sidewalks for safer walking
Balingen, Heilbronn, Pforzheim, and Stuttgart Join Pilot Project to Clear Sidewalks and Create Space for Pedestrians
The cities of Balingen, Heilbronn, Pforzheim, and Stuttgart are participating in Baden-Württemberg's state initiative "Clearing Sidewalks – Creating Space for Walking" as model municipalities, testing new solutions for pedestrian traffic over the course of a year. At the project's launch, Transport Minister Winfried Hermann emphasized: "Whether you're walking, pushing a stroller, or using a wheelchair, you need space—and enough of it. No one should have to slalom around signs, trash bins, or parked cars, let alone step into the road. Together with our four model cities, we're removing obstacles and reclaiming sidewalks. This will improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life in public spaces."
Goal: Making Walking the Natural Choice
The project is part of Baden-Württemberg's Pedestrian Strategy, which aims to ensure that by 2030, half of all trips are made on foot or by bicycle. Even longer journeys of over 15 minutes should become a realistic option for many people. To achieve this, sidewalks must be well-maintained and barrier-free. For parents with strollers, wheelchair users, or those using walking aids, just a few centimeters can determine whether a path is passable or becomes a dead end. As model municipalities, Balingen, Heilbronn, Pforzheim, and Stuttgart are now leading the way, putting innovative solutions to the test in real-world conditions.
Removing Barriers, Clearing Paths
The four cities will first assess the condition of sidewalks along selected routes, documenting them digitally—including with 360-degree cameras. This data will serve as the basis for on-site workshops where municipal authorities, local businesses, public utilities, and residents collaborate to develop solutions. Key obstacles under scrutiny include trash bins, unnecessary traffic signs, cars parked wholly or partially on sidewalks, utility boxes, parking meters, and advertising displays.
"We are reallocating space in our cities and towns to give pedestrians the room they need," Hermann stated. "A city where walking is safe and comfortable is a city with a high quality of life."
Designing Sidewalks with Foresight
Future urban planning must also prioritize pedestrian infrastructure from the outset. Municipalities, planning firms, and infrastructure providers will work more closely together to ensure that technical installations—such as parking meters, charging stations, and utility boxes—are placed in multi-functional zones between sidewalks and roadways whenever possible. This approach will help prevent bottlenecks before they arise.
Since the application process began in December 2025, the state has sought communities willing to pioneer new approaches. Balingen, Heilbronn, Pforzheim, and Stuttgart were selected based on their proposed routes, which include central urban axes, school pathways, and areas with frequent sidewalk conflicts. The project's findings will be evaluated, and the resulting standards and solutions will be compiled into a practical guide by early 2027. This guide will support municipalities across Baden-Württemberg—and beyond—in making walking a more attractive option.
The project is being implemented by Nahverkehrsgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (NVBW) on behalf of the Ministry of Transport, with technical support from the planning firms Bernard Gruppe and VIA.
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