Liverpool's Bold Accessibility Vision Faces Global Competition
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has openly declared his ambition to transform Liverpool into the most accessible city in the United Kingdom. A substantial £710 million investment programme is set to achieve this goal by 2030, ensuring all rail stations in the city region become step-free, all new trains feature level boarding, and buses are significantly more wheelchair-friendly. This is an ambitious yet achievable plan, but it prompts a crucial question: how does Liverpool currently measure up against other major cities worldwide?
The Global Accessibility Landscape
A new ranking of the world's 25 most accessible cities reveals that Liverpool, and indeed the UK, has considerable progress to make. London only just managed to secure the final spot on this list, which was dominated by Shanghai and Singapore claiming the top positions. Hong Kong and Beijing also featured prominently within the top ten. European cities demonstrated strong performance, occupying half of the ranking slots, with Munich, Amsterdam, Prague, and Stockholm all scoring above 67 points.
Notably, two cities from the Southern Hemisphere made the top ten: Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, achieved an impressive third place with 79.12 points, while Canberra, Australia's capital, secured the tenth position with 67.37 points. In contrast, major hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi were placed in the lower half of the ranking.
How Cities Were Evaluated
The assessment criteria for this ranking were comprehensive. Each city was evaluated based on the number of adapted metro or tube stations, the availability of accessible tourist attractions, the proportion of adapted hotels and rental properties, and whether residents receive governmental support to modify their homes for accessibility. This data was extracted from the 2025 IMD Smart City Index, which initially ranked 146 cities on their effective use of technology to enhance residents' quality of life. From this broader index, judges then identified and ranked the top 25 most accessible urban centres.
Leading Cities in Detail
Shanghai claimed the top spot with a remarkable score of 84.86 points. The city's entire subway network is fully adapted, and it boasts 733 accessible tourist attractions, representing 73% of all attractions in the city. For those seeking examples closer to home, Munich, with a score of 78.92, has adapted all 100 of its underground stations, facilitating free movement for visitors. Additionally, 75 out of 359 hotels and apartments, and 317 out of 747 tourist attractions, are accessible.
Amsterdam, scoring 76.51, has all 86 of its metro stations adapted, with 53% of its tourist attractions also being accessible. The city recommends visitors use the Ongehinderd app to navigate more easily. Prague, despite some limitations in its older subway stations, has made 77% of its network accessible, with modern stations featuring full accessibility provisions. However, accessible accommodation remains limited, though major sites like Prague Castle and Charles Bridge have seen improvements.
Stockholm, through its 2030 Vision plan, aims to make its city centre fully accessible for people with reduced mobility. Currently, accessibility at key attractions such as the Vasa Museum, the ABBA Museum, and the Royal Palace is rated as moderate.
The Road Ahead for Liverpool
While Liverpool's £710 million commitment is a significant step forward, this global ranking underscores the scale of the challenge. The city's plan focuses heavily on transport infrastructure—making stations step-free, ensuring level boarding on new trains, and improving bus accessibility. To compete on a global stage, Liverpool may need to expand its vision to encompass a wider ecosystem of accessibility, including tourist attractions, accommodation, and residential support, mirroring the holistic approach seen in cities like Shanghai and Munich.
The journey to becoming a world-leading accessible city is complex and multifaceted. Liverpool's 2030 target is ambitious, but as this ranking illustrates, achieving true accessibility requires continuous, comprehensive efforts across all facets of urban life.
