Ramp for the main railway station in Lviv

Inclusive environment: a basic need for modern cities

A fundamental criterion for the quality of urban space, which determines how well a city is prepared to meet the needs of its residents: children, the elderly, wounded soldiers, parents with strollers, people with disabilities, and those who have temporarily lost their mobility. Creating universally accessible infrastructure is a development vector that all Ukrainian cities need.

With the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Lviv has become a kind of humanitarian center: schools, theaters, kindergartens, the railway station, and urban spaces have become shelters for displaced persons.

In total, more than 5 million displaced persons passed through the city in the first ten months of the full-scale war. During this critical period, there was a need to respond quickly to the needs of the arriving people.

Ramp at the Lviv train station: basic minimum or luxurious maximum

An inclusive space is not an added bonus, but a necessity. It is an investment in people, the future, and the sustainable development of cities. It is about the opportunity to be part of a life without barriers. The example of the ramp at Lviv railway station shows that inclusivity begins with specific decisions. And each such decision makes the city more humane, accessible, and stronger.

The fixed platform and well-designed slope of the structure ensure comfortable and safe movement for people with disabilities, passengers with strollers, people with limited mobility, and the elderly.

The solution was created with the following in mind:

• durable, long-lasting materials;
• optimal angle of inclination;
• the possibility of intensive use in public spaces with high traffic.

This ramp is an example of how local manufacturers can create high-quality solutions that increase accessibility and make key urban hubs truly open to everyone.

The project was implemented by the public organization City Service Center in cooperation with the Lviv City Council with financial support from GIZ as part of the Integrated Development of Ukrainian Cities project (Improving Accessibility to Dvirtsova Square).

Photo: Evelina Kosmolinska