Creating an Accessibility Index for Cities

Urban environments play a critical role in shaping the quality of life for all residents, yet many cities lack comprehensive measures of accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors, and others facing mobility challenges. The Lehigh Valley contains multiple and diverse municipalities (including Bethlehem and Allentown) that likewise have very limited ability to measure these important elements of everyday life.

This project will work to create an innovative and effective City Accessibility Index (CAI) — a data-driven tool designed to evaluate and compare how well cities accommodate inclusive mobility, infrastructure, and services. The CAI will integrate multiple indicators, including public transportation accessibility, pedestrian infrastructure, digital services, and inclusive public spaces. By combining quantitative data (e.g., open city datasets, GIS mapping, and accessibility audits) with qualitative community feedback, the project aims to produce a scalable framework that city planners, policymakers, and advocacy groups can use to identify gaps and drive improvement. Ultimately, the CAI will promote more equitable urban design, help prioritize funding for accessibility initiatives, and foster accountability toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities). This project will further feed research challenges into the newly launched Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies (CDAT) at Lehigh.